Today, upon opening the news, I was greeted by an article regarding the pending lawsuits between known white nationalist Richard Spencer and several public universities across the nation. The longstanding debate argues at which point free speech and expression conflict with safety, security, and human decency. Should we, as a public institution restrict the ability of blatantly corrupt and ignorant individuals to spew their filthy ideals to those who are willing to listen?
My answer is yes. First, it is my belief that these thoughts are so wrong and poisonous to the moral fabric of our nation that they should not be expressed on the grounds of our educational institutions. Why should our school, who strives daily to create a more diverse and inclusive environment have to host and accommodate such an exclusionary man.
However, even the most stringent first amendment defenders would most likely agree that these speakers share no right to create an environment that manufactures a clear and present danger to our university’s students.
To Richard Spencer and all those who wish to spread hate on our campus, I say one thing. You are not welcome here.
Hey Brent,
Thank you for your analysis. I agree that anyone who poses a clear and present danger to the safety of our students should not be given the invitation to speak. This is definitely a gray area, and something that must be considered with great care so as to allow many opinions to flourish while still preventing harm.
Something else that I have been read about recently are the costs of having speakers come to these universities. For instance, some controversial speakers in the past have required as much as $600,000 in security costs in order to host their events. While anyone should have the right to speak freely, as it is stated in our constitution, the universities should also not be forced to pay over half a million dollars in fees to have someone attend the university if that person espouses beliefs that the university considers harmful.
Wow Brent. I think you hit the nail on the head. I think this is such a gray area and I really appreciate you admitting your own personal beliefs and how they compare in the political scheme.
Hey Brent,
I agree and am glad you took a clear stand on the issue. It is easy to say in the abstract that we should make this a contest of ideas and be open to other viewpoints, but when the viewpoints of one side being expressed are consistent with those of Nazis, what’s the point of trying to facilitate a dialogue?
Though University officials do not appear to have the legal right to ban white nationalists from speaking on campus (see link below), they should still release statements denouncing the appearance. These speakers do nothing but create a more hostile environment for marginalized students.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/04/19/federal-judge-stops-auburn-from-canceling-white-nationalists-speech-violence-erupts/?utm_term=.adf392a338ee