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Would Students be Better Off If They Remained Completely Silent on College Campuses?

Inasmuch as free speech/expression is clearly dead in America's institutions of higher indoctrination, wouldn't it be better if an aspiring graduate remained completely silent for the four-plus years it takes to earn a sheepskin?

UNL students restricted by new ‘respect’ policy

"[...] Green’s comments come as Christianity and conservatism — even support of Donald Trump — is accused of being intolerant, hateful and racist on campuses nationwide.

Green did not define, neither in his speech or the written policy underscoring it, what an action of disrespect might be, leaving it widely open to interpretation. The vague set of beliefs also comes a time when accusations of microaggressions, or unintentional slights some interpret as racist acts, have a vice grip on universities."

Posted - September 2, 2016

Responses


  • 2758

    The really sad part is that today's college-age adult is likely clueless as to why freedom of speech/expression is important.  Perhaps it's good that colleges in this country are becoming political monasteries.

      September 2, 2016 2:11 PM MDT
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  • 386
      September 2, 2016 2:11 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    ...If they know what's good for them, right?

    Either way I'm glad I'm done with my formal education.  I can't imagine what the climate would be like in the politically correct hell of today's college campus.  If I had kids I'd be STRONGLY encouraging them to study independently or to get a trade school diploma.

      September 2, 2016 2:16 PM MDT
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  • 386
      September 2, 2016 2:33 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    1) Under normal circumstances I would heartily agree.  These aren't normal circumstances.

    2) If free speech doesn't apply to or protect those with whom we disagree, find offensive or downright crazy, for whom does it apply or protect?  Nobody who wishes to regurgitate the party line need worry about his or her free speech rights.

    3) I don't have a problem with liberal arts.  I have a problem with forced conformity under the faux aegis of 'inclusion' and 'tolerance.'  In our 150-year struggle for civil and human rights, all we've done is change bullies.

    In retrospect, I think we're simply too stupid to survive as a species. Too MILITANTLY, WILLFULLY stupid.

    Thank you for your well-reasoned, civil reply in any case.

      September 2, 2016 2:42 PM MDT
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  • 386
      September 2, 2016 2:55 PM MDT
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  • I don't know. I personally think the problem is not as widespread as the conservative media and bloggers would like you to believe.

    I heard just recently that colleges, such as the University of Chicago, have stopped the practice of censoring speakers and setting up safe zones.

     http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20160829-university-of...

    Here's a question...Does anyone have the impression that institutions such as Falwell University allow freedom of  speech & expression? I'll be fair and give Falwell U credit for allowing Bernie Sanders to speak before the student body.  What I did find amusing about that when I watched it was that the students looked confused and apprehensive in clapping for points Mr.Sanders made. I also noticed the facilty watching the flock intently.

      September 2, 2016 3:32 PM MDT
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  • There was once an infamous satirical political novel down here that had the prime minister saying v the right to free speech is part of our culture, until it's abused then it must be stopped" ... I think the issue is universal

      September 2, 2016 4:31 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    Absolutely nothing. LOL!

    (I, too, hail from two different pursuits and, as chance would have it, I also have a trade school diploma. :-))

      September 2, 2016 4:42 PM MDT
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  • They would be better off becoming a plumber or electrician.

      September 2, 2016 4:46 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    Excellent points.  I wouldn't argue for an instant that both camps in this controversy cherry-pick those accounts/anecdotes which bolster their bias.

    "Here's a question...Does anyone have the impression that institutions such as Falwell University allow freedom of  speech & expression?"

    Not a snowball's chance in hell!  Try getting up in a lecture and pontificating on the benefits to society of, say, abortion. :-)

    ( I must have missed the Sanders visit. Good on FU. :-)  Equally good would it be if some of the more ...ahem...progressive institutions of higher learning were as cordial to conservative mouthpieces.)

      September 2, 2016 4:47 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    Spot on.  In reality, even when it's protected, free speech is NEVER free.

      September 2, 2016 4:48 PM MDT
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  •  ... Or only that which I personally agree with

      September 2, 2016 4:58 PM MDT
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  • I remember the Trump 2016 chalking... some students cried hysterically and said it was the same as murder lol. Scary thing. Did you know witch hunts still happen to this very day? Actually it mostly occurs in third world countries but yes people are witch hunted. In Africa children are exorcised by church members who break off from churches here in the U.S. then charge a fee for parents to get their children exorcised because they blame them for their poverty. One kid had a nail driven through his skull.

    I am going to say something that sounds mean but it's actually a compliment. So basically college students have the same intelligence as those in third worlds.

    The MAJOR difference is that if those third world people had the same resources exposed to them at a young age like we do... they probably wouldn't do that to their children because they would be more enlightened instead of just what everyone around them says.

    WE have more resources and choose to still remain ignorant and mind you these colleges are often ivy league schools. Really think about that.

    The problem isn't that people should stay silent, it is that they are staying silent and letting this minority be vocal and turn it into a circus this is how it got to be in the first place. People need to stand up to bullies if we don't want to end up giving the people who don't want us to be educated any power.

      September 2, 2016 5:00 PM MDT
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  • From the article:

    "Green’s comments come as Christianity and conservatism — even support of Donald Trump — is accused of being intolerant, hateful and racist on campuses nationwide.

    Green did not define, neither in his speech or the written policy underscoring it, what an action of disrespect might be, leaving it widely open to interpretation. The vague set of beliefs also comes a time when accusations of microaggressions, or unintentional slights some interpret as racist acts, have a vice grip on universities."

    They better be careful because while it is great to ask to be respected microaggressions can be purely subjective with the person accused of committing the supposed "microaggression" not even intentionally meaning any harm. This will make people resent people of color and being afraid of other people rather than embracing them. I guess that's one way to push for segregation huh. That's terrible. More evidence that it isn't about unity at all.

      September 2, 2016 5:11 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    Especially if you're the one exacting the price for disagreement. :-)

      September 3, 2016 12:10 AM MDT
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  • 2758

    As far as earning potential is concerned, unless they become doctors or lawyers, you're spot on.

    Again.

      September 3, 2016 1:07 AM MDT
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  • 2758

        "The problem isn't that people should stay silent, it is that they are staying silent and letting this minority be vocal and turn it into a circus this is how it got to be in the first place. People need to stand up to bullies if we don't want to end up giving the people who don't want us to be educated any power."

    You're batting a thousand tonight!

      September 3, 2016 1:09 AM MDT
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  • 2758

    Spot on!

    And I can't wait to hear about the monster lawsuit filed on behalf of the victims of this kind of language tyranny.

      September 3, 2016 1:11 AM MDT
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  • You won't get an argument from me about progressive instituions.  Squashing Free speech in any form is dispicable.  A speaker of questionable reputation and unpopular opinions will hang themselves, where banning them only rises them to victom status. 

    Oh my...My mistake. It was at Liberty University. Here it is if you're interested and you have 27 minutes to kill. :)

    My suggestion is to skip forward until you reach the portion about Womens health and abortion.  TBH, the speech is worth watching for that portion alone.  I'm not going to spoil it for you, but It was cringe worthy (not for Sanders) but... Oh never mind...Just watch it. lol

      September 3, 2016 8:32 AM MDT
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  • 1002

    If they aren't regurgitating the opinions of those with tenure, yeah... they'd probably be better off keeping a low profile.

      September 3, 2016 10:05 AM MDT
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  • No, they shouldn't. College is a time to be vocal. It's sad that so many of my generation would rather people stay silent. College should be a time when the importance of free speech is realized, not shut down. 

      September 3, 2016 10:20 AM MDT
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  • They are commendable at least for allowing him to speak there. If the conservative movement wants to portray themselves as warriors for free speech, then they should have no issue allowing liberal speakers to come to more traditionally conservative universities. It doesn't mean that those speakers will be well received, but they shouldn't be prevented from speaking. That's what frustrates me the most about liberal millennials; so many of them would rather not give someone with "problematic" views the chance to speak. Freedom of speech also includes freedom to criticize. So let them speak so we can criticize. 

      September 3, 2016 10:23 AM MDT
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  • 2515
    Colleges and universities are places of businesses. The same respect a company would expect in an office is the same one could expect at these schools. Otherwise you get fired.

    People are paying for their education and it doesn't come cheap.

    I think it's great this president spells it out as part of this learning environment. After all, he is responsible for setting the educational environment.
      September 3, 2016 10:59 AM MDT
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