This might surprise you, but the University of Chicago is leading the way in defense of free speech on campus. In a letter to incoming freshman, Dean of Students Dr. John (Jay) Ellison reminded them that,
“At the University of Chicago, we insist that all faculty and students are free to debate, disagree, and argue, without fear of being silenced.”
And just like last year, no trigger warnings. No safe spaces. Free Speech and agreeing to disagree are more important than coddling and hiding from ideas you disagree with.
Dr. Ellison is drawing his intellectual thunder from something called the Chicago Statement, which notes that,
“although members of the university community are free to criticize and contest the views expressed on campus, and to criticize and contest speakers who are invited to express their views on campus, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe.”
Rioting or threatening large scale protests to stop speaker appearances and shouting down guests will not be tolerated. How refreshing. But it’s better than that. Campus Reform also notes that the school plans to,
“invite the presidents and provosts of every U.S. university and college to a conference on free expression in academic settings” later this year, suggesting that the letter sent to this year’s incoming freshmen may only be the beginning of their exposure to First Amendment principles.
Talk about a clash of cultures.
The Social Justice, diversity, inclusive excellence juggernaut exists to suppress expression and free speech. It needs safe spaces and trigger warnings. It is built on snowflakes.
So, here’s to hoping the University of Chicago can make an impression, though I have my doubts about how effective it could be considering the investment most universities have in social justice curricula.
