Is This Blog a Free Speech Zone?
America has always been a self-correcting nation. When we see wrongs we speak up. Civil Rights, Women’s Suffrage, are well documented in our history books.
However, today’s colleges seem to be trying their best to correct one of our amendments that really doesn’t need correcting. And that’s the First Amendment.
So I’m not exactly sure what I can and cannot say in today’s world? What happens if someone disagrees with my opinion?
The College Experience
If the college experience isn’t all you thought it would be simply yell DIVERSITY or DISCRIMINATION as loudly as you can.
In no time a large group of fellow students will assemble complete with signs and a "Hey, hey, ho, ho, whatever’s bugging you has got to go" slogans.
The college administration will fall all over themselves to make sure that whatever your needs are, no matter how ridiculous, are met with utmost haste to earn your undying approval. In other words — don’t sue.
The latest proofs of my assertions follow.
Claremont McKenna College, California
Heather MacDonald, a conservative author, found her scheduled talk blocked by students who were protecting their campus from her fascism and racism.
MacDonald was able to enter through a back door only to find a nearly empty hall because the students were also not allowing entrance to anyone who wanted to hear her speech. So much for open-mindedness and the free exchange of thoughts and ideas.
Middlebury College, Vermont
Take a trip to Bernie Sanders country and you’ll find a student protest against economist, Charles Murray that turned violent.
According to a New York Times article the Middlebury Police Department established, that as many as eight masked individuals were in the area and used tactics indicating training in obstruction.
While leaving the speech, conservatives were attacked by a crowed believed to number 150. A professor who was interviewing Murray was injured but the attacker has yet to identified.
In all, 67 students received some form of punishment from the college for their actions following the event.
Day of Absence & Day of Presence
What does “Day of Absence & Day of Presence” mean?
Well to put it another way, students at Evergreen State College, want a day without whites on their campus.
That would include liberal whites as well.
Students have taken over the campus library with the blessings of George S. Bridges, the college president.
“Let me reiterate my gratitude for the passion and courage you have shown me and others,” Mr. Bridges said in his remarks, as reported by student newspaper The Cooper Point Journal. “I want every one of you to feel safe on this campus and be able to learn in a supportive environment free from discrimination or intimidation.”
The campus is hardly free from either discrimination or intimidation.
No whites allowed sure sounds like discrimination to me. Would the opposite position make news?
Plus, liberal professor Bret Weinstein, who objected to the event, is being asked by police to hold his classes off campus for his own safety. Certainly no intimidation there.
In a Fox News interview, Weinstein said, “At this moment, I believe [Evergreen College President George S. Bridges] is answering a set of demands put forward by the protesters, and they have said that if he does not, if he does not accept their demands, that there will be violence,” Mr. Weinstein said Friday on the Fox News program.
Some Are Growing A Spine
Should it be illegal to uninvite a speaker based solely on political beliefs? Should it be illegal to charge more for a conservative speaker because additional security might be necessary?
E.G. Ann Coulter?
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam thinks so and signed a bill last month to restore free speech to his state’s campuses.
In California, a Republican-sponsored bill would eliminate “free speech zones.” Under this bill people would be able to speak freely anywhere on campus.
I can’t believe such a bill would even be necessary under our constitution.
A handful of states are following with their own free speech legislation. I wish Montana were one of them.
Some Final Thoughts
When are college administrators going to grow a spine and stand up to this ignorance? To coddle these little brats is hardly preparing them for real life in the outside world.
Business owners are not milquetoast college administrators. Those folks use red pens and not everyone gets a trophy.
There are no makeup tests and there’s a quiz nearly every day.
The words "free" and "speech" no longer seem to fit together in the same sentence. Intolerance of opposing views will not get you very far in life.
Listen and walk away if you disagree — but listen first. You might actually learn something.
This type of learning is sadly lacking in today’s college classrooms and auditoriums.
If this blog offends, you please don’t comment because I’m very sensitive and I can’t get any coloring books till the weekend.
Are you ready to speak up, Casper Milquetoast?
Comments below