To the Editor:
As a longtime liberal arts professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, I interpret the Islamic boycott of Danish goods as an attack upon artistic freedom of expression.
I recall that some years ago there were a series of attacks upon the charming and unpretentious sculpture of the little mermaid in Copenhagen harbor. Something is rotten in the states beyond the shores of Denmark. The land that birthed the tales of Hans Christian Anderson and manufactured my Scagen wristwatch certainly has done nothing to merit such outbursts of wrath. Chocolate and good beer, butter cookies and yarn are harmless articles - but the Danes have produced other marvels. Like the rescue in the 1940s of the helpless victims of hatred fleeing the Nazis. Danish citizens hid refugees in the holds of fishing vessels and stored their luggage in safekeeping until they returned to claim their property. The chronicle of the Danish resistance inspired me to make a personal pilgrimage to Denmark and to taste its pastries, its refreshing humor and wit.
Our RISD furniture design department was established by a distinguished professor, Tage Frid, who brought the native elegance of his Danish design to Providence at the site of the Aaron Roitman furniture store. Roitman's proudly bore the insignia of the Danish consulate. We have a long local history of affection and loyal good will toward things Danish.
Victor Borge, pianist and comic, sailed into Newport harbor with the Danish tall ships, bringing his irreverent jokes and remembering laughter. ("You'll need it even in the blessed isles of Ever After," wrote James Thurber.)
So I urge whoever reads this letter to go out and buy and enjoy something Danish and thumb our noses at the rioters who have forgotten laughter. And admire the nobility of Danish traditions, the best in the West.
Michael FinkProfessor of English, RISDMarch 8
