The freedom of speech crisis on college campuses is a right wing myth
How hypocrisy and repression have become a cornerstone to our first amendment freedoms
By: USD College Democrats
Students across the nation see the deep challenges facing our democracy today. Confidence in government and institutions is at an all time low. Civility among citizens has broken down, rendering thoughtful discussion of public policy issues nearly impossible. Fictional news, masquerading as genuine, trick substantial portions of society and alter public debate. Therefore, it is clear to see why there is a sense of cynicism about democratic values. If our nation’s current political crisis has any silver lining, it is focusing our attention on the reality that democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires the thoughtful involvement of its participants.
One crucial path to overcoming polarization and fostering a healthy democracy is to continue on this path of keeping college students engaged to be politically active citizens and guiding them to productive discussion, rather than ugly rancor. Students are now paying attention to the need for political change in ways that we have not seen in years. We hold the opportunity of shaping a brighter future for American democracy in our hands — and that’s the mission of USD College Democrats.
With the knowledge that there was already a USD College Republicans club on campus, a few friends originally set off with the idea of starting USD College Democrats during the fall semester of 2019. Even with the introduction of COVID-19 and the brief relocation from campus, our main values have remained constant.
We have made our mark as being an inclusive club that pursues the ideas of liberty, justice, and freedom for all regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, ability, religion (or lack thereof), gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We pursue this objective through support of the candidates and ideas of the Democratic party.
Recent discussions have revolved around this idea of free speech and at what point free speech becomes hate speech. The controversy over what many call “hate speech” is not new, but it is renewed as our nation experiences the Black Lives Matter movement, the Me Too movement, and many other movements fighting for a more inclusive, just, equal, and equitable America. These movements have raised consciousness and promoted national dialogue about racism, sexual harassment, and more.
With the raised awareness comes increased calls for laws punishing speech that is harmful or that is offensive. On March 21, 2019, President Trump signed an Executive Order on campus free speech that links federal research funding to institutions agreeing to promote free inquiry. This executive order threatened to withhold federal funds from public universities that regulate speech on their campuses. This came after student activists said universities are fostering an unbalanced, liberal indoctrination of students and therefore suppressing conservative views.
One example stated by the National Education Association was when Richard Spencer, a leader of the white supremacist rally at the University of Virginia, was allowed to speak at the University of Florida (UF) last year, despite concerns by United Faculty of Florida (UFF) members that Spencer’s supporters would target and endanger Black, Hispanic, and Jewish students. To accommodate him, UF canceled classes and Florida’s governor deployed National Guard reservists to campus. It cost UF at least $600,000, plus millions of dollars by state and local communities.
The executive order doesn’t create any new protections for speech on campus, it just restates the obligations of public universities under current law and policy, such as the First Amendment. However, the Wall Street Journal reported warnings by critics that the action could effectively impose federal curbs on free speech and further politicize how administrators handle the delicate balance between students’ expression and their safety, such as when controversial speakers come to campus, or in this instance, the establishment of organizations on campus that are counterproductive to the cause of developing productive political discussion.
We have found ourselves in the midst of a political culture clash. This struggle has made a notable appearance on college campuses throughout the country, especially at USD. The newest population of voters, college students, have made combating racism, gender discrimination, homophobia, transphobia (the list goes on) a part of the national conversation. The activism on behalf of historically subjugated striations of American society is extremely important. However, members of the ideological right and their frustration with “wokeness” have ushered in this so-called “freedom of speech crisis.” In reality, there is no such crisis. The only true issue they have with this crucial advocacy is that it is making them aware of their discriminatory demons.
A new organization on campus, claiming to be a non-profit, non-partisan activist organization that helps promote free speech, limited government, and fiscal responsibility through civil discourse. However, this organization has also addressed BLM protestors as thugs, attacked working class individuals by stating they contribute nothing to society, called feminism a brainwashing tactic, and have done nothing to denounce or reject the hate that the far right and President Trump have welcomed. Although they believe themselves to be the “silent majority,” conservative values have always been the norm, and continue to be very evident in our current political climate.
Supporting a president who actively works against the most marginalized members of the USD community stands against everything our campus professes. When there are people of color being murdered and not receiving justice and the only concern of this organization is being called out for their political views, that is privilege. Basic human rights and decencies are never up for debate. Conservatives claiming to be oppressed is not only hypocritical, but takes away from the fight for justice that BIPOC are attempting to bring to the forefront. By doing nothing to reject the dangerous rhetoric our president spews, you are either supporting his beliefs of white supremacy, or are choosing to be ignorant towards his very obvious racism, which are both equally detrimental.
Members of our organization are aware that not everyone holds the same beliefs as we do and are always open to constructive discourse. However, with this being said, if you are a club that claims to call for mutual understanding and open mindedness, it is imperative that you consider why students seem so against the values the club upholds. It is impossible to create a community of open discussion when your social media posts attack some of the core values students support; you are simply furthering the political divide that you claim to resent.
When it comes to believing that your organization is simply “questioning the status quo,” the recent BLM movements and activist initiatives to create inclusive environments for BIPOC are not the status quo that you believe them to be. Rather, these movements are gaining popularity because they are actively resisting the norm of the historic invisibility and marginalization of groups such as people of color, disabled individuals, and the queer community. By referring to such movements as supporting the status quo, you are inherently erasing and ignoring the prevalence of racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other manifestations of hate that has been maintained and perpetuated throughout the history of American society.
We urge those who are leaders of their organizations to be cautious of the ideals you choose to vocalize if you are not willing to practice them in your actions. Conversation begins with a mutual willingness to listen and if your club is truly open minded, we ask that you engage with the people who have different views than you.
Jadyn Bell, Hannah Sellfors, Erin Kane, Christine Partington, and Brooke Powell contributed to this op-ed.
The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.