Essay On Hate Speech On Campus

Imagine being arrested for calling someone a mean name. The first amendment to the United States Constitution grants freedom of expression. Such liberties distinguish the United States from other nations who lack liberties for their people. However, plenty of people claim freedom of speech is abused by people to harass minorities with hate speech. Hate speech is a verbal attack on a person or group due to their ethnic background, race, gender, sexuality, religion or disability. Numerous people demand a ban on hate speech from college campuses. However, in elementary, middle and high school, we were taught to not ridicule other religions, races or sexualities. In college, we are all adults and should be able to carry ourselves accordingly. The campuses should not kick students out because they have different beliefs that are offensive. Even though it is not morally correct to offend or be disrespectful to a person by stripping them of their dignity, it is not illegal. Taking away a person’s voice strips his or her right to express themselves because they are forced to remain silent. Just

College campuses are supposed to be bastions of free speech and one of the first places one truly experiences a wide range of opinions and beliefs different from their own. Sadly, college campuses have become a place in which unpopular speech has been completely shut down. In this case, the dominating ideology on college campuses is liberalism. Those delivering unpopular speech are no longer invited to give their opinions in an open dialogue, rather they are intimidated into keeping their opinions quiet. The most famous case of this free-speech shut down is happening right now at the University of California, Berkeley. On February 1st, 2017, famed alt-righter Milo Yiannopoulus was scheduled to make a speech at the school. As a result, hundreds

People of all backgrounds found ways to participate in the American Civil Rights Movement in hope for an end to segregation. Aspects such as education, social segregation, and voting rights were unfair for the African Americans, and it made them infuriated. These aspects led to the largest movement in American History (Davis). In the 1950’s and 1960’s, some people believed in supporting this movement through protesting in a nonviolent manner (Davis). Protestors hoped nonviolence would be the more effective way to achieve the social change they have wanted (Hartford). The participants were dedicated and did all they could to make their marks on this movement, and many of the participants during the Civil Rights movement were young men and women.

Campuses provided a place for young African-Americans to come together during the Civil Rights movement, “Students obtained leadership training in student organizations and learned in the classroom about democracy, freedom, and constitutional rights”. (Williamson, 2008) As Williamson brings up, these students needed to be equipped with the right tools to fight in the movement. This served as a step in the right direction for the community to make their voices

After reviewing Supreme Court cases relevant to the issue of freedom of speech on public college campuses it is evident that some guidance has been given, here is what we know when looking at free speech on public college campuses. First, in Sweezy, there is a recognized right by the Court to Academic Freedom, especially scholarship and the need for the freedom to inquire, evaluate, and study (354 U.S. 234). Secondly, in Keyishian, the Court set the standard for Academic freedom as not allowing “…laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom” (385 U.S. 603). Keyishian also recognized that restrictions put forth by the college that administer a potential Chilling Effect, are deemed unconstitutional. Lastly, in Healy, the Court recognized

If they liked Bush, we made them register to vote. But not if they liked Gore” (Dolgow). The same cannot occur on a college campus, however the fear remains on how information of others can be used or the manipulation of first amendment can be used in a college setting. The fact remains that there is a substantial difference between a corporation and a university. Universities are meant to be a place of learning and just like science is able to accept new theories, we should be willing to accept new ideas. Building tolerance as a community allows us to embrace unpopular ideas.

Almost all Americans today have heard of the First Amendment and its protection of free speech. This protection allows a free exchange of ideas among the members of society. Without it, Americans would not be able to voice their criticisms against anything without having a fear of being arrested. However, in the past, the government has limited this fundamental right several times. During World War I, Charles Schenck passed out fliers criticizing the national draft. He was arrested, and the Supreme Court decided that his arrest was acceptable because his actions posed 'clear and present danger'. Other limits exist on libel and slander. Now, with these limits enacted in the past, and with a growing multicultural society in America, a debate

College students are currently identified as fragile creatures, immature children who should be guarded against any idea that might challenge their beliefs. As a result of this protection, these students are making claims on basically any and every statement that they can, even remotely, that it offends them in some form or another. Even though the freedom of speech movement is helping college campuses become a non-discriminatory place, this movement is making no progress as a result of college students becoming oversensitive while fighting discrimination, they are actually discriminating others as well as themselves.

In theory, free speech should be easy. By principle, people should be able to say what they want, and basic courtesy should take care of making sure people aren’t being hurt unnecessarily. The more time you spend in the world, however, the more apparent it becomes that it really isn’t that simple. Many places exist in a comfortable bubble where a majority of people share a common overarching mindset, so issues with free speech—what you can and cannot communicate to others—come to the forefront in spaces where different cultures converge, as individuals have wildly different ideas of what is “okay” to say or do. This is where college campuses come in: most colleges are institutions that inherently attract young adults from all over the

College life is the time to have fun; you have few responsibilities, you are living on your own for the first time, and you are introduced to many new ideas. Generally, college is a time for students to generate their own beliefs and ideas on many topics. If they have only been shown a filtered version of ideas, they have not had a fair chance to be able to reach their own conclusions. Colleges filter what is discussed on campus to protect their students, but this hinders the quality of the students learning. Public college campuses should not safeguard student’s free speech by providing safe spaces, presenting trigger warnings, or controlling who speaks on campus.

In 1776, the Unites Stated declared its independence and started its journey as a country. One of the most important reasons that the colonies took such an important step against the British government was “taxation without representation,” the colonies were being taxed and not heard in the British Congress. This was one of the early times in which freedom of speech was advocated and fought for. Then in 1887, when the founding fathers wrote the constitution and added the bill of rights, the first amendment was freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition. For the founding members it was imperative for citizens to have these basic rights and yet in many places they’re violated. Colleges and universities should be a place for educated individuals to be able to express themselves freely, however currently many of them are afraid of the controversial points students can make, limiting the basic human right of speech to, at times, as little as 1% of the whole campus.

The freedom of speech is a critical part of college education. The sole purpose of a college is to educate students and create new ideas. New ideas are generated when individuals confer with one another and share their own thoughts and opinions. Today, colleges are using censorship as a way to prevent hate speech, which prevents any sort of controversial topics being spoken about. However, if we limit the freedom of expression between students and even administrators on campus, we stop the cycle of new ideas. Students and administrators should never feel fear of punishment or judgment for expressing opinions that might be controversial or

On college campuses, free expression of political and religious affiliations has always been encouraged and accepted by the university and other students up until recent years due to the political tensions that have arose. Students and Professors have brought up their concerns for various kinds of speech that offend and traumatize them, such as conservative speech or values. These liberals are straying away from their core beliefs of “tolerance for everyone” because they are

First, Freedom of Speech is not being respected or allowed on many college campuses. For example, an instructor at Fresno University “Projected to his class that college campuses are not free speech areas.” Professor Gregory Thatcher, made this statement as he was “defacing students writings and erasing words with his shoe that had been written on a chalk board.” When called out on his inappropriate behavior, Thatcher “falsely claimed” that he had the “right” and was “entitled” to erase the student’s messages just because he disagreed with them on the subject. However, Thatcher learned that that was not the case at all, and that

Whether students and teachers are able to participate in free speech across campus or strictly in certain designated zones on campus has been a debatable issue. Although some people feel free speech cannot be restricted to specific zones, others view free speech zones as helpful in controlling the speech of students. Free speech across campus is incredibly difficult to monitor because of the enormous sizes of current day campuses and the immense amount of different views. In the past, there have been situations relating to violent protesting and negative speech across campuses. Because of this, campuses have begun enforcing free speech zones in which students and faculty may verbally express their beliefs. Colleges and universities are places of higher education and learning. Part of this learning comes from listening and understanding opposite views from your own. Positively, these zones have allowed students to avoid ideas they may not want to hear; however, avoidance is not the way around life. Negatively, people believe these zones have restricted education outside of school for college students. The argument on free speech zones is important to all students, faculty, and those not at all involved in this topic at all because of the dispute for First Amendment rights.