New Threat to Freedom – College Censorship
“In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards.” – Mark Twain. For a school board, public or private, secondary or university; to actively censor and silence topics in need of debate and discussion amongst its students and professors grossly infringes upon principles of the First Amendment – Freedom of Religion, Press and Expression; hindering the education and intellectual development of millions of students.
Many of the current issues arising in the political and economic realms of society are caused by a lack of debate between its members, as well as more time spent on adequate research and development into mutually beneficial solutions. Learning how to debate and analyze sensitive topics that warrant further discussion, is dependent on the protection of free speech for both students and professors. The most valuable, beneficial, and professional arena to debate sensitive topics (that may affect millions of people) is the university classroom. To censor such a susceptible area of intellectual discussion gravely hinders the creativity and understanding that is so essential to the development of human ingenuity and innovation.
As a former student of the University of Northern Colorado, I felt that the professors of the university were very open to ideas and concepts, would professionally challenge students to defend his/her position, were aware and protective the a humans rights to free speech. Every year or two, the university staff would allow an anti-abortion rights group to peaceably assemble to discuss their view on pro-life topics. Members of this group were very open and respectable towards other students; and actively engaged students in intellectual discussions. Even if member of each paradigm do not agree on the same conclusion, they foster a greater understanding of the opposing side. Freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and press can only be expressed when it is not censored by provisions/principles of the college or university.
It is the sensitive, humanistic, political, social, and intellectual topics of society that warrant further discussion and debate amongst all supporters and orators of liberty, wisdom, and understanding. The essential nature of one’s freedom of speech and expression is the foundation of knowledge – creator of the institutions of education. When an individual loses his/her rights to free speech in a college or university, him /her loses the heart and soul of knowledge. Peace and moral understanding cannot be achieved the important topics that warrant further discussion are censored by universities or governments.
It is not just freedom of speech and expression that is at stake when colleges/universities censor material professors, and students; it is the liberty of human thought and ingenuity. It is critical to the intellectual development of the human species to be allowed unlimited access to information, allowed the right to discuss and dispute sensitive topics that warrant further discussion, and to do the latter without censorship or threat of censorship. Freedom and liberty will die when the moral concept of free speech ceases to exist in colleges/universities.