NC State Administrator Wants to Censor Free Speech in the Name of Social Justice
Why are so many people in academia so ready and willing to trample on free speech? It’s a constant problem.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn of Campus Reform reports.
University suggests censoring speech in free speech tunnel to fight ‘social injustice’
A North Carolina State University administrator is encouraging student leaders to censor speech they don’t like in a tunnel dedicated to free speech on campus.
In an email sent to all student group leaders Friday evening that was obtained by Campus Reform, Eileen M. Coombes, Director of Student Involvement, encouraged students to be creative while fighting against “social injustices and other forms of hate.”
“One way to do so is through the new ‘State not Hate’ stencils now available in Student Involvement,” Coombes said in her email. “If you see hate speech or offensive language in the Free Expression Tunnel, cover that speech with the stencil, indicating that you, as a member of this community of scholars, will not stand for any form of hate at NC State.”
According to NC State’s website, the Free Expression Tunnel was built to curb random acts of graffiti around campus.
“The Free Expression Tunnel gives students a venue for expressing their thoughts and feelings about anything—from ‘Happy Birthday’ to announcing club and organization meetings,” the website states. “The tunnel never looks the same twice, as it is painted daily by various student groups.”
Coombes’s email was sent to student leaders in light of recent incidents on other college campuses that have gained national media attention. The University of Oklahoma’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter was recently disbanded and two students were expelled after a video surfaced online of a few fraternity members chanting a racist song.
“As we look for ways to advance our campus with a focus on inclusion and community, student organizations will be critical,” Coombes said. “Who will lead? Who will be champions for NC State’s core values of integrity, freedom, respect, responsibility, stewardship and excellence?”
University suggests censoring speech in free speech tunnel to fight ‘social injustice’ (Campus Reform)
Comments
It is pretty clear that Eileen’s position can be eliminated without any negative result. Her actions are the kind you would expect from a 12 year old.
Free speech is a constitutional right, “social justice” whatever that is, is not a constitutional right. The term “social justice” may be equated with “politically correct,” a code word for the left’s liberal agenda. It is not surprising to find this on college campuses, at Cornell University, a few years ago, a survey of the faculty registered in political parties showed that about 95% of the faculty registered in a political party were registered as Democrats or Greens. Whatever happened to diversity of opinion on our campuses? How are students to hear diverse viewpoints?
Hate Speech defined: Any speech with which one disagrees with its premise.