If you’ve ever walked past the EMU Amphitheater at noon, you’ve seen him. Long white hair, glasses and holding a microphone, Don Goldman always has something to rant about. From helping the homeless to getting President George W. Bush out of office, Goldman voices his opinions with vigor and not a shred of intimidation.
Goldman has spent nearly a lifetime concerned with the well-being of the United States and found the courage to do something about it a few years ago.
The Chicago native first became aware of the country’s social problems during childhood.
“Chicago has a white upper-class neighborhood surrounded by a giant ghetto with deplorable conditions,” Goldman said. “I was always conscious of how badly people in society were treated.”
As a young man in the 1960s, Goldman joined the hippie bandwagon with diligence and participated in Vietnam War protests. Although he said he was “never a leader” in the demonstrations, he fondly remembers partaking in the party-esque activism during the years of peace and love.
“In 1969 I grew my hair long and everyone was turning into a hippie,” he said. “I thought it was great. The 1950s were really gray and dull.”
After going through many different jobs, which he refers to as “mostly crummy,” he decided to attend college in the Northwest. Beginning in 1990, he attended Portland State University, the University of Washington in Seattle and finally the University of Oregon. He is currently studying classical languages and plans to graduate sometime during the next academic year.
Goldman said political events in the past five years are what motivated him to take to the EMU Amphitheater stage.
“I was appalled when Bush stole the election, and about Sept. 11 and the passing of the USA PATRIOT Act,” he said. “These were serious, major events in history, and no one was doing anything about them. I thought, ‘What could I do to stop this?’ and I realized what I could do best was speak — speak loud, and hopefully, intelligently.”
Goldman said it took him a few months to gather up the nerve to speak in the amphitheater, but in April 2002 he made his debut. He began speaking three times a day, seven days a week — once at noon, once at 6 p.m. and once at midnight — but he gradually reduced his public speaking to the time he currently speaks — once a day at noon, Monday through Friday. Though his speeches sound like pure improvisation, Goldman writes a few notes on his hand each time to help him remember what he wants to cover. He said he consults a variety of sources for his arguments, including mainstream newspapers such as The Oregonian and The Register-Guard, alternative publications and radio programs, including right-wing radio shows.
In terms of political alignment, Goldman said he is “way out on the left edge and about to fall over the edge.” He lists some of his top concerns for the country as conservation of the environment, seeing that everyone has a decent place to sleep and fairness to racial minorities in courts.
“The more I study and the more I learn, the more liberal I get,” he said.
When asked what his idea of a “perfect country” would be, he described a pre-Christopher Columbus America.
“Based on historical sources, the Native Americans were beautiful in many ways,” he said. “I’d like to see this country before it got all screwed up.”
Goldman, who identifies himself as gay, said he was not as excited about the legalization of gay marriage as some homosexuals were.
“When gay liberation started in 1969, gays wanted to tear down the institution of marriage,” he said. “Now there are all these conservative gays who just want to be married like everyone else. On one hand, I’m glad to see (the conservative party) fighting a battle they’re sure to lose, but marriage isn’t what gay liberation is about.”
With so many different views floating around campus, Goldman’s speeches have undeniably stirred up reaction in students, both good and bad.
Political science major Yuka Murai said she appreciates Goldman’s opinions, especially as the 2004 presidential election approaches.
“Young people should be interested in this kind of political debate and activity,” Murai said. “This year is especially important with the elections coming up. I’d really like to get a group of people together for a debate (in the amphitheater). (Goldman) knows lots of things, and students could ask him questions.”
Of course, there is a fair share of students who take Goldman’s words far from seriously.
“I think people listen mostly for humor,” University College Republicans Chairwoman and political science major Laura Jenkins said. “Most of the things he says are based on faulty information. The people who believe him and listen to him are ignorant to the truth. What he says is so out there, far from reality and far-fetched.”

Goldman’s speeches tend to stir up controversy, and one incident in October 2002 led to his arrest. While giving what he calls his “Fuck speech,” a religious group began yelling, “You’re going to hell!” through a megaphone. He received a Eugene Police Department citation for disorderly conduct; the charge was later dropped.
In addition to speaking to the University community and taking classes, Goldman writes for The Student Insurgent and creates his own comedy, artwork, poetry and songs. He is currently putting together a film of local poet performances that he hopes to air on television. He said by participating in a breadth of creative activities, he hopes others will see him as more than just “a crazy, wild-eyed radical.”
“I make a big effort not to be a dreary, ranting guy,” he said, adding he wishes students would follow his suit and take the mic to voice their opinions.
“Other people are worthy of doing this, and I don’t want to be the big star,” he said.
Above all, Goldman hopes to reach people. He said he wants society to realize that atrocities are occurring in the world and to cumulatively help make changes for the better.
“I want to get people so upset that they finally do something,” he said.