Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
An editorial in the Wellesley College student newspaper that called for "shutting down" some forms of hateful rhetoric became the latest flashpoint in a contentious national debate over free speech and its limits on college campuses.
The editorial, published Wednesday in the Wellesley News, argues that the campus community will "not stand for hate speech, and will call it out when possible."
"Shutting down rhetoric that undermines the existence and rights of others is not a violation of free speech; it is hate speech," the editorial states. "The spirit of free speech is to protect the suppressed, not to protect a free-for-all where anything is acceptable, no matter how hateful and damaging."
The editorial was widely criticized on social media as antithetical to the free exchange of ideas that is critical in a democracy and in liberal arts education. It comes as colleges across the country are wrestling with how to protect free speech in an era of trigger warnings, safe spaces, and even assaults on incendiary speakers invited to campuses.
Free speech for all. Unless they disagree with us on something...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 17 2017, @05:22PM (1 child)
I find it amusing that the "staff editorial" header was used for this story but the staff member wasn't a person of their convictions enough to put their name on it.
Why?
It represents the opinion of the editorial staff. Not just one person.
They publish staff editorials all the time.
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/03/01/college-should-publicly-disclose-funding-sources/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/03/09/letter-from-the-editors-2/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/04/05/compensation-should-extend-beyond-college-government/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/03/24/highlighting-the-differences-between-news-and-opinions/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/03/09/response-from-the-editors-re-editorial-on-funding-sources/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/02/24/campus-staff-should-be-included-in-post-election-activism/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/02/15/commotion-around-clinton-takes-spotlight-off-commencement/ [thewellesleynews.com]
http://thewellesleynews.com/2017/02/13/wellesley-sanctuary-campus-petition-should-be-re-instated/ [thewellesleynews.com]
...
Seems like you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday April 17 2017, @05:27PM
How do you figure? I said I thought it was interesting not that I'm losing sleep over it.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.