Say What I Say Or Shut Up

If I've said it once … – no, they wouldn't let me say it. They shouted me down.

That's the current status in academia and, for that matter, much of the non-academic community. Too much of our society has come to a point of intolerance, and demands agreement with the “accepted” point of view. Most in the news is the approach of our universities to differences of opinion among students and, more important, the role of faculty. Students must be bearers of a socially acceptable political philosophy – they probably are anyway – and faculty don't hesitate to indoctrinate them in their own opinions resulting in students' fear of being penalized if they should hold otherwise. And, in addition to the incitements of bellicose students, faculty sometimes provoke student protests against speakers with whom they disagree. Those they oppose are wrong, and students shouldn't (have the opportunity to) hear their views. No one wants to be thought of as violating societal norms and opposing his “friends.” So there is conformity with the beliefs and wishes of others.

Those in charge, fearing negative reaction, set up “safe spaces” where only the opinions students want to hear (or are told that they do) are permitted. Opposition is silenced – forbidden, despite the fact that one of the most important functions of an academic institution is to expose students to different points of view. It is better to reinforce popular positions than to risk questioning them.

Freedom of speech is simply an extension of freedom of thought. And everyone is entitled to express his thoughts. Anyone may argue with them but may not silence them. While the courts have permitted limited restrictions based on safety, the suppression of opinions is not acceptable. There have been alien and sedition laws from time to time. While they were defended as safety measures, their imposition was wrong and they have been withdrawn. And the courts find a Constitutional right for what many would consider pornography (and I am one of them) and a threat to the safety of our society, especially the young, in view of the fact that it is rampant graphically and orally. Expletives are rarely omitted in our society, except by those trying to make a point.

In short, censorship of almost any kind is proscribed. At least by law. But more and more we are experiencing the loud expressions of the politically correct, and the silencing of views that differ with their ideas. Protests and intimidation provide the censorship that is prohibited by law. But isn't the insulting of those with whom you disagree politically as much hate speech as the expression of negative views of those whose ethnicity or sexual preferences differ from yours? And isn't attacking them a hate crime? Yet these acts are rarely prosecuted as hate related.

Free speech has a long history in our country. It's a basic right as defined by the First Amendment to our Constitution. The courts, including the Supreme Court, have ruled on numerous cases dealing with it. (There have also been cases involving freedom of religion – another First Amendment right – but I'll deal with them another time.) For the most part they have confirmed our rights, even though there have been many who would like to still those whose views differ from theirs. And they have included groups (Citizens United and other organizations wishing to express a view). We have long accepted the right of the media to do so and if a rich newspaper can express opinions, it's not clear why other organizations should not have the same right. Free speech may not be free, but it should apply equally to all.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. (Thomas Jefferson)

If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence. (Louis D. Brandeis)

We'd be better off if those who promote “Truth” would listen respectfully to others who may subscribe to a contrary “Truth.” And even more so if they talked to each other and worked out their differences of opinion.