How can you define free speech? Does free speech include free inquiry? Can one determine or prevent what can be or can't be written, spoken, or thought? How can such a broad and sensitive topic be discussed without offending someone? There have been many discussions across North America about what can and can't be said or used without a race, gender, or someone's sexuality being offended. Although many people can be offended by free speech, our society would not have progressed as fast as it has without it. Free speech is a building block to our learning and development as students and as a society as a whole. I believe that regulating free speech is a step backwards in the fast-growing society we live in today. With reading both essays, Hentoff and Lawrence, I believe the stronger case and more intelligent outlook is to have free speech on campus and in the lifestyles we live in today.
The "free speech zone" at the 2004 Democratic Nati...
Freedom of Speech Posters
Free Speech, "The People's Darling Privilege"Hentoff's essay "Free Speech on Campus"ÃÂ deals with real life situations and how our society dealt with the problems that occurred in universities across North America. For example, a professor in Philadelphia named Murray Dolfman was exiled from the university for one year. In his attempt to protect and fight levels of racism he offended many Black and Jewish students by calling them ex-slaves. In Dolfman's defense he states, "You're better equipped to fight racism if you know all about those post-Civil War amendments and civil rights."ÃÂ (Hentoff 34) Dolfman had the right intentions and idea, but in this society anything that has the potential of someone taking offense to, they will. With Hentoff's advice it educates and better equips society to fight any racism or prejudice that may present itself. In every discussion there are always two sides and Charles R.