Suppressing Free Speech
Another example of what academics these days are teaching about free speech.
A librarian who recommended four conservative books be added to a reading curriculum is being hit with "sexual orientation harassment" charges by two other faculty members. The books were brought up during a committee meeting and no direct reference was made to either of the complaining faculty members. The University is conducting an investigation.
Why is it academics have such a poor grasp of this concept we know as free speech?
Insanity, Left Wing, The Ivory Tower | Gaius Friday, 14 April , 2006
By Bradley J. Fikes, Friday, 14 April , 2006 @ 7:47 pm
Instead of complaining about books they don’ t like, the faculty members should have made their own recommendations.
And kudos for using a good source. The Volohk bloggers are scrupulous about checking their facts.
By Gauis Arbo, Friday, 14 April , 2006 @ 8:26 pm
Oh, come on, Bradley. How many of my sources are not up to your standards? Damn near everything I link comes from a major outlet, let’s not fixate too much on one email campaign (which I support because of what is being done for wounded soldiers. Keep in mind I have a soldier I care about in harm’s way).
By Black Jack, Saturday, 15 April , 2006 @ 11:55 am
My understanding is that the “sexual harassment” occurred when faculty members on the committee first heard the offending recommendations. One of his recommended books was considered “antigay” and thus the suggestion to include it created “a hostile environment” according to the accusers. It seems they felt “unsafe” and so brought charges against the librarian.
If the charges are sustained, and the librarian’s “speech crime” is punished, can punishment for “thought crimes” be far behind?
By Gauis Arbo, Saturday, 15 April , 2006 @ 12:00 pm
It’s pretty pathetic.