They have been called a generation built on participation trophies, safety zones and potentiallyunprepared for the real world.

We would refer to the current crop of protesting college studentsas passionate Americans, whose ideologies and values remain works in progress as were all of ours at that age. They are continuing a tradition of peaceful discourse dating back generations.

Criticism of public demonstrations on campuses both locally and across the nation are unfair. Protesting is part of the American way and we encourage todays youth to continue these peaceful exchanges as did preceding generations.

We would remind them, however, that just because you disagree with something doesnt mean its wrong. It was disappointing to see the cancellation of a speech by Breibarts MiloYiannopoulosat the University of California at Berkeley. The event was called off following violence in advanceof the speech which ledto realistic safety concerns. A university spokesman said it was not a proud night for this campus, the home of free speech.

However, it personified the hardest part of free speech to comprehend: That the other side has an equal rightto the First Amendment.

Following the cancellation, The Los Angeles Times editorialized that literature circulated at the protestsaid Yiannopoulos has no right to speak at Cal or anywhere else because hes a tool of Trumps possessive fascist government. This is just the latest variation on the age-old argument of the censor that error has no rights, or, put another way, that one only has a right to free speech if one is speaking the truth. Its an insidious notion that needs to be opposed in every generation.

In this context, weve tilted toward a nation where the loudest voice wins, where meaningful, thoughtful and smart people cant have legitimate disagreements, ordiscuss them witha reasonable and civildialogue. Things arent helped when the nations leader resorts to tweeting in ALL CAPS to make his point.

We are happy students are standing up. We were glad tostudents at Danville voiced their disagreement when school officials closed the curtain of Avenue Q. Those students were informed and involved, and made a decision they felt was justifiedafter voicing their opinion.

Get involved. Stay involved. Stay informed. Be civil and peaceful. Be sure to listen, too. Its all part of the process, like it or not.

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Free speech must work both ways | Opinion | dailyitem.com - Sunbury Daily Item