The head of the IMF was supposed to be Smith College's commencement speaker, but withdrew because of faculty and student protests.  A few professors (although none in the economics department) wrote to the IMF chief asking her to cancel.  The Smith Alumnae Quarterly asked several people, including myself, to write a 400 word article on the surrounding issues of diversity of thought and protest.  Below is a draft of my article.  I hope it's of interest and I would be grateful for any suggestions for improvement: