4 ms·

Everyone has their own lines for when a speaker is too objectionable, I honestly don't have a problem with someone protesting some speakers but not others. I m

by thedz 11y ago

Everyone has their own lines for when a speaker is too objectionable, I honestly don't have a problem with someone protesting some speakers but not others. I mean, isn't that precisely what protesting something is? (That said, there are definitely I think good and bad ways to protest, and also reactionary protests that escalate way past what's acceptable)

MCRed 11y ago
If the college republicans weren't able spend their portion of student fees to bring some Republican I found repugnant to campus, how would I ever have the opportunity to ask him very uncomfortable questions during the Q&A after his speech? Back when I was a college leftist we welcomed these opportunities. The idea that they should be censored was abhorrent. In fact, we joined forces with them when the college papers editor decided that he could re-write and censor letters published by both groups (and in the process inflaming hostility between us, until we discovered our words had been changed as had theirs.) I think liberalism has lost sight of the mission of defending ALL people's rights, even ones you disagree with. "I will defend to the death your right to say it" and all that. ---- (so was I downvoted for challenging republicans or because we joined with the college republican to challenge the censorship in the school paper? Oh, maybe it was criticizing "liberalism"? I guess that's not PC.) ---- PPS -- This was during the days of "political correctness" when any position taken from the left was shot down with "that's just political correctness" and it was an insult- like you could never think that you're just being PC. Which of course as not in the least bit true. Back then. Alas, reality has become a parody of history.
- eridius 11y ago
  There's various levels of offensiveness. And also bear in mind that both of these cases were for a commencement speech. Commencement speeches are not the places for divisive speakers. If the Young Republicans want to raise money to pay for someone to come speak, that's very different than the school paying the equivalent of free tuition for 3 students for a year for an extremely controversial speaker to give a 35-minute commencement speech.
malandrew 11y ago
I mean, isn't that precisely what protesting something is I'd say that it's generally considered better form to protest ideas over events and to protest events over people. Protesting individuals is intolerant and petty. Engaging with and debating their ideas (when they are promoting them) is a more reasonable solution.

by thedz 11y ago

MCRed 11y ago

If the college republicans weren't able spend their portion of student fees to bring some Republican I found repugnant to campus, how would I ever have the opportunity to ask him very uncomfortable questions during the Q&A after his speech? Back when I was a college leftist we welcomed these opportunities. The idea that they should be censored was abhorrent. In fact, we joined forces with them when the college papers editor decided that he could re-write and censor letters published by both groups (and in the process inflaming hostility between us, until we discovered our words had been changed as had theirs.) I think liberalism has lost sight of the mission of defending ALL people's rights, even ones you disagree with. "I will defend to the death your right to say it" and all that. ---- (so was I downvoted for challenging republicans or because we joined with the college republican to challenge the censorship in the school paper? Oh, maybe it was criticizing "liberalism"? I guess that's not PC.) ---- PPS -- This was during the days of "political correctness" when any position taken from the left was shot down with "that's just political correctness" and it was an insult- like you could never think that you're just being PC. Which of course as not in the least bit true. Back then. Alas, reality has become a parody of history.

eridius 11y ago
There's various levels of offensiveness. And also bear in mind that both of these cases were for a commencement speech. Commencement speeches are not the places for divisive speakers. If the Young Republicans want to raise money to pay for someone to come speak, that's very different than the school paying the equivalent of free tuition for 3 students for a year for an extremely controversial speaker to give a 35-minute commencement speech.

malandrew 11y ago

I mean, isn't that precisely what protesting something is I'd say that it's generally considered better form to protest ideas over events and to protest events over people. Protesting individuals is intolerant and petty. Engaging with and debating their ideas (when they are promoting them) is a more reasonable solution.