One of the battle lines in Americas culture wars runs straight through the First Amendment.
Cultural conservatives seem to think liberals dont really believe in free speech because we are all too willing to silence what we see as hate speech and what conservatives seem to see as expressions of their core values banning Muslims, closing the southern border to Hispanics, preventing the LGBTQ community from gaining their rights, defending police violence against black people, etc.
While conservatives such as Milo Yiannapolis, a British agitator who got banned from Twitter for his racist tweets, have felt the sword of the censor fall upon them, so has liberal comedian Kathy Griffin, who lost her job as CNN New Years Eve co-host for displaying a picture of Donald Trumps severed head. Trump makes people on both sides crazy.
If you thought things were tense between right and left, conservative and progressive before, Trumps ascension has made things much worse, emboldening bigots and incensing liberals. Comedian Bill Maher, champion of all things politically incorrect, caused a recent controversy when Sen. Ben Sasse jokingly invited him to come to Nebraska to work in the fields.
Work in the fields? Maher replied. Senator, Im a house (N-word).
Maher apologized for using the N-word and invited a pair of prominent African-Americans rapper/actor Ice Cube and Georgetown University sociologist Michael Eric Dyson on his show to gently flog him for his verbal sin.
For the record, Yiannopolis, Griffin and Maher were all way out of line.
The volatility of the free speech issue is greatest on college campuses, not only because academia is seen as inherently liberal, but also because colleges and universities are laboratories that test social norms and advance culture. Sometimes they get it right and sometimes not.
Harvard University was in the news this month because it rescinded the acceptances of 10 students who posted offensive memes on a Class of 2021 Facebook chat site called Harvard memes for horny bourgeois teens. Being horny and bougie were the least of these teens troubles; they got kicked out of Harvard before they even got there for being just plain stupid.
Why would any intelligent, college-bound student post things that make fun of the Holocaust, sexual assault and the deaths of children? Insensitivity? Shock value? Peer pressure? Who cares? Harvard could fill every class with valedictorians with 800 SAT scores, so it doesnt need to coddle creeps who think its cool to be crass. Harvard got it right.
Out at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, that redoubt of hippie academics and anarchists turned itself inside out over one professors objection to the colleges Day of Absence, an annual exercise in racial awareness inspired by Douglas Turner Wards play of the same name, in which all the people of color disappear from a small Southern town.
In the past, the Day of Absence had been a voluntary affair where students of color met off-campus to discuss issues of race. This year, the college asked white students to leave campus for a day because students of color felt unwelcome in the wake of the 2016 election.
There is a huge difference between a group or coalition deciding to voluntarily absent themselves from a shared space in order to highlight their vital and under-appreciated roles, wrote Bret Weinstein, a professor of evolutionary biology who describes himself as deeply progressive, and a group or coalition encouraging another group to go away.
In response, 65 Evergreen State faculty and 34 staff members signed a solidarity statement, not in support of Weinstein, but calling on him to be punished because he endangered faculty, staff, and students, making them targets of white supremacist backlash by promulgating misinformation in public emails, on national television, in news outlets, and on social media.
It did not help Weinsteins deeply progressive cause that he wrote a guest editorial in the conservative Wall Street Journal and appeared on Fox News with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. A group of 50 students confronted Weinstein and shouted him down as a racist because he objected to the authoritarian way college President George Bridges had re-ordered a Day of Absence.
Evergreen State got it wrong. Professor Mike Paros, the one Evergreen State faculty member who stood up for Weinstein, got it right.
When one is confronted with truths that contradict closely held beliefs, wrote Paros to his colleagues, the mind begins to make outlandish rationalizations. The faculty email response will someday be used in psychology textbooks as a case study in group thinking.
The First Amendment only prohibits the government from infringing on your free speech. It does not not prevent your employers, your opponents or even your colleagues from doing so.
Freelance journalist Edgar Allen Beem lives in Brunswick. The Universal Notebook is his personal, weekly look at the world around him.
Read the original:
The Universal Notebook: Freedom of speech is just an expression - The Forecaster
- Turkey's crackdown on freedom of speech intensifies [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Bill of Rights Transcript Text - National Archives and ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- 3 Muslims shot dead by Atheist || #muslimlivesmatter - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Media Studies 104A - 2015-02-10 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech in the 21st Century - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Katy Perry Garbage Music Industry Selling Image - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- USA Freedom of Speech and Jesus Christ - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full [HD].... - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- France Arrests French Comedian Dieudonne 3 Days After Charlie Hebdo Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Zoophile Atheists Evolutionists Beastality Inter Species Sex - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Marijuana Causes Brain Damage - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo's "Freedom of Speech" - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- John Robertson on Greg Shapiro's United States of Europe - S3Ep01 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech - The GameOverGreggy Show Ep. 61 (Pt. 3) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo, Zero Tolerance, and Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- The Illuminati: The Freedom of Speech 2015 Conspiracy - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin 2015 - Eddie Griffin Freedom Of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up.. - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom Of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up - Eddie Griffin 2015 [HD] - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Charles Darwin Racist Hallucinating Junkie Who Thought He Was A Monkey - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Muslims oppose insult to Islam in the name of freedom of speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD - Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech.. - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Policy update restricts demonstrations [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Italian senators pass bill criminalizing denial of genocides [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Thousands of Muslims protest freedom of speech outside Downing street - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD - Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech [Standing Up] - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD.. (Best Comedians) - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Ali Belhadj Following Paris Attacks: France Cannot Give Us a Lesson in Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- RE: HannibalTheVictor13's resentment over thunderf00t and his "freedom of speech". - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Did God Make Atheists For Hell? - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech, Dastak Ep158 - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Mamata advocates for freedom of speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- One dead after shots fired at Copenhagen freedom of speech meeting [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- 1 dead in shooting at Copenhagen free speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Shots Fired at Copenhagen Free Speech Event: Reports [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Shots fired at Copenhagen cafe free speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- One man dead and three policemen wounded at freedom of speech seminar in Denmark [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Copenhagen caf: two gunmen in terror attack at freedom of speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Michael Buerk Interview - Freedom of Speech & Paris Attacks - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- 'Freedom Of Speech' Topic Tuesday #12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech != Freedom of Forum - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Danish police kill man suspected of Saturday's attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Political expression isnt criminal: group [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen police kill suspect linked to two fatal attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen suspect known to police [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Free Speech Debate Still Alive After Attack in Denmark [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Danish PM Defends Freedom of Speech After Attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press - Lincoln University [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- freedom of speech...........Peter Caine /Brooklyn Dog training/NYC dog training - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Shooting: Deadly attack at free speech meeting with cartoonist who depicted Muh - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- We Need To Defend Our Freedom of Speech or We'll Lose It. - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Shots fired at Copenhagens Krudttoenden cafe free speech event a report - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech: For Whom, to Say What? - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Media Studies 104A - 2015-02-12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD [Stand Up Comedians] --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- WallBuilders Live 2015-02-11 Wednesday - Freedom of Speech on College Campuses - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Feminist Aborted Her Son Because He was a Boy - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Atheist Animal Sacrifices and Torture - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Yisrael Beytenu at Charlie Hebdo freedom of speech protest - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - American Poll - Atheists Can't Be Trusted - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of speech, but... SHOTS - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Muslims Killing Atheists! - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- AP Top Stories February 14 P - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full [Best Comedians] ---- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD [Stand Up Live] --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full Show HD --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson to Receive Freedom of Speech Award [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Letters to the editor: We must do more to stop terrorists [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Freedom of Speech Best Comedy Show--- - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Freedom Of Speech Naam Ki Koi Chiz Hoti Hai - Alia Bhatt On AIB Controversy - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Shooting: Valentine's Day Shooting At Copenhagen Free Speech Event (VIDEO) - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Denmark: Police launch manhunt for Copenhagen cafe shooter - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Best Stand Up Full HD--- - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Greenpeace activist refutes govt charge of being anti-national [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Two minutes for heckling [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Jailed Al Jazeera journalist concerned about freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Fan claims municipal police violating freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Jailed journalist concerned about freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Freedom of speech denied outside of Skillet concert Pittsburgh - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]