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: 2) by c0lo on Monday April 17 2017, @09:06PM (1 child)
Do you own any piece of property on Wellesley College?
If now, why should you feel entitled to teach them how to behave?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 17 2017, @09:51PM
If now, why should you feel entitled to teach them how to behave?
Because we also have freedom of speech, and can therefore criticize their actions. Just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean you're right in doing it. I'm tired of the 'But it's private property!!!' defense of censorship, because most of the time it's just a huge straw man.