Free Speech Rights Degrading Left And Right
And it's not just our right to free speech, but our culture as a place of free speech, and the valuing of free speech as a way to maintain a healthy, democratic society.
Erica Goldberg writes at campus free speech defender TheFIRE.org (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) of yet another college administration punishing a student for his speech -- and the most innocuous speech at that:
Roman Caple, the graduating senior at St. Augustine's College (North Carolina) ... was denied the ability to walk at his graduation because of what the college called "a negative social media exchange" in a letter to Caple. Given no specific information, Roman could not discern exactly why the college required him to pick up his degree from the campus security booth instead of allowing him to participate in his graduation ceremony. Roman told news sources that he believed the university was punishing him for a post on his personal Facebook page, written after a deadly tornado that struck Raleigh, North Carolina, that said, "St. Augs is holding classes tomorrow and students in Falcrest still don't have power. Like, wtf. Really? #dumb."Unbelievably, the college accused him of trying to "create chaos."As innocuous as this Facebook post is, the college recently told media outlets their real reason for punishing Caple, and it's even more offensive to free speech principles. In a statement to The Huffington Post, St. Augustine's College claimed that Caple posted "inappropriate comments" to the school's official Facebook page that it uses to communicate with students. The college provided a screenshot of one of these comments:
Goldberg continues:
Moreover, the college's justification for its punishment displays a shocking ignorance of free speech principles. Caple's Facebook post cannot be described as "incitement," as he was certainly not provoking students to engage in imminent lawless action. (Incitement to what, St. Augustine's, provide documents?) At most, Caple was expressing an opinion in an attempt to influence students' beliefs and behavior--the very purpose of having free speech.
On a side note, perhaps Caple just posted way too fast, but the guy doesn't seem to have the greatest command of English as a graduating college senior. Exclamation points galore, also -- the mark of a lovesick, Hello Kitty'd-up 14-year-old girl.
As a private school, they can pretty much do what they want. There have been some pretty egregious examples locally, including one LeMoyne student who was expelled from his program after writing a paper that said that there were instances where corporal punishment could be justified. The paper received an A before the princesses of prudery got involved.
All that tuition the student paid? Too bad, so sad. Be careful about where your kids go to school. Public schools have a harder time pulling this nonsense, but they try. FIRE can usually slap them down.
MarkD at May 16, 2011 5:00 AM
"In a statement to The Huffington Post, St. Augustine's College claimed that Caple posted 'inappropriate comments' to the school's official Facebook page that it uses to communicate with students."
Not sure how St. Augustine intended to use the screen shot as evidence of inappropriate comments. Without context, it's hard to see what Mr. Caple's comment was supposed to mean in the first place. I wonder what SAC is, and why I should be concerned that it might "come hard?"
Old RPM Daddy at May 16, 2011 8:18 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/05/16/free_speech_rig.html#comment-2141569">comment from Old RPM DaddyWell, there's always that chance that somebody will yell out and bang the headboard.
Amy Alkon at May 16, 2011 8:27 AM
Magna cum loudly?
Steve Daniels at May 16, 2011 8:35 AM
"Magna cum loudly?"
+1 for the pun, Miss Alkon with the assist.
I suppose worrying about it depends on how thin the walls are in the dorm.
I don't suppose he's worried about the Strategic Air Command? It's been defunct since 1991, but they could "come hard" (via B-52s).
Old RPM Daddy at May 16, 2011 8:42 AM
I've been assuming SAC stands for St. Augustine's College, but I could be wrong.
dee nile at May 16, 2011 9:21 AM
Well, that would be the obvious answer, and no doubt correct, but I'm good at missing the obvious. I was thinking Student Avisory Committee or some danged thing...
Old RPM Daddy at May 16, 2011 9:25 AM
"I wonder what SAC is"
Saint
Augustine's
College
perhaps? Or Students Administrative Council, which is what those letters stood for at my alma mater. I wonder if the college administrators clearly explained their Stalinist notions of free speech to Caple and all the other students when they first enrolled as freshmen?
Martin at May 16, 2011 9:30 AM
this is another case where the school wants to engage it's students with social media while not understanding at all the way those students USE social media. Most of these students have been using it far longer than the college has.
As out of context as that reply is, I'd get the impression that it is a simple "this school is tough, so bring your "A" game..." suggestion to another student, or maybe potential student. Ima bettin' the other student knew what was meant.
In essence, he's prolly lucky they let him graduate. I've known several schools that wouldn't let you walk if you had an outstanding parking ticket or the like.
Though this is another case of lack of due process, and they don't actually have to give you any.
As for spelling and !!!! ... from what I have seen this is the way many in the generation write on facebook, twitter and text.
If I was a betting man, I'd say they will change the way we percieve writeing rather than being forced to write more traditionally. It's pretty hard to stem the tide.
SwissArmyD at May 16, 2011 10:51 AM
Ironic this institution was named after the man who said "The church is a whore, but she is my mother."
Eric at May 16, 2011 1:09 PM
ZOMG!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH EXCLAMATION POINTS?!?!?!?
TestyTommy at May 16, 2011 2:23 PM
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