The weirdest thing I noticed switching from accepting all speakers to wanting more vetting

Back in 2019, I was all about letting anyone speak at my community college in Phoenix, no matter how crazy their views were. I thought that was the whole point of free speech on campus. Then we had this guy come in who spent half his time just attacking specific students by name, calling them out in the audience. It wasn't debate, it was just bullying. That changed my mind pretty fast. Now I think there is a middle ground where you can let controversial ideas fly but still set rules about basic respect and personal attacks. I still believe in hearing all sides, but I also think students shouldn't have to feel personally targeted just to sit through a lecture. Has anyone else run into a speaker who crossed that line from debate to straight up harassment?

2 comments

2 Comments

black.amy15d ago

Honestly, I feel you on that "sit through stuff that makes you uncomfortable" line. There's a huge difference between hearing ideas you disagree with and being personally called out and attacked. Nobody should have to just sit there and take that.

ryang7716d ago

So you're saying the guy clearly overstepped, but isn't the whole point of free speech that you have to sit through stuff that makes you uncomfortable? Where do you actually draw that line without just silencing anyone you disagree with?