Recently a student-run political club at Louisiana State University sent out an apology tweet informing students that a speaker would not be appearing on campus to speak due to "insurance issues," which has caused quite an uproar within the university. The College Republicans at LSU sent out a Tweet stating that an event featuring a political celebrity had been canceled.
Milo Yiannopoulos, a British commentator who speaks openly about political issues within our country is no longer coming to Louisiana State University. Yiannopoulos is self-proclaimed as not being strictly "republican" but agrees and speaks about issues with a stance that is more right-wing than left. He talks openly about his experience being a homosexual, and his views on the LGBTQ+ community.
Yiannopoulos is a controversial speaker and previously played a major role in The Breitbart News, a Republican based news outlet. He openly states he disagrees with feminism, abortion, global warming and many other issues within our country at this time. With such strong opinions on issues within our nation, Milo Yiannopoulos is seen as a threat or disgrace to the left party along with many other political parties.
LSU's College Republicans had scheduled Yiannopoulos to speak to their organization on campus and even sold tickets to the public. However, Milo Yiannopoulos will no longer be speaking at Louisiana State University. It is believed that his team did not pay insurance costs for the event. The LSU College Republicans are refunding all ticket purchases.
It is unfortunate that this event is canceled. However, this is not the first time Yiannopoulos' events have been canceled, so some may suspect that insurance costs were not the only reason for the cancellation. While speaking at other universities, left-wing supporters have shown up to his events and protested. The Democratic party has found his views unacceptable and have not respected our country's first amendment.
The freedom to speak has repeatedly been revoked when it comes to Yiannopoulos and many other political speakers. While many are disappointed that Milo Yiannopoulos will not be speaking at LSU anymore, students can rest assured that Yiannopoulos will still continue to speak about our nation's issues openly.
As for the LSU College Republicans, they are unfortunately missing an opportunity to see this outspoken, hilarious, and celebrity-like man speak again because opinions are not agreeing with the majority. I do not know what went wrong when it came to this certain speech. Many would believe that Yiannopoulos' team has enough funds to pay for insurance, and if that is the case, why are his events not only at Louisiana State University but many other schools within our country, being shut down?
Whatever your political view may be, I hope that the free speech amendment does not get lost. As a college student, I would love to see a country where free speech is open and acceptable again. Even if his team dropped the ball on insurance issues it is a disappointment to many. I hope that students continue to push for their own opinions and ideas to be accepted. I hope we continue to let each and every person have their OWN views.
And to the LSU College Republicans and students who planned to attend this event, I hope you do not let this "incident" affect you. Trust me, you can always tune into Youtube and see Yiannopoulos at other events and schools within our country.
For now, keep fighting for other's to have differing opinions and for it to be OK. Be open to hearing left wing and right wing debates. Take a stand, put a fist up, and fight for our country. We are one.
