The University of Chicago has a message for it's incoming freshman class and it's that freedom of speech and all that it may entail, "debate, discussion and even disagreement," is an essential aspect of the University. A letter was sent to the newest freshman class and in it, the dean tells the incoming students that the University of Chicago choosing to commit to "freedom of inquiry and expression,” and by doing so, ban safe spaces. “Members of our community are encouraged to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, without fear of censorship. Civility and mutual respect are vital to all of us, and freedom of expression does not mean the freedom to harass or threaten others,” Jay Ellison, Dean of University of Chicago, says in the letter. The letter makes the distinct point that while they promote diverse thoughts and beliefs, they are in no way condoning malicious behavior.
On either side of this affair, people are taking very passionate stances. While one side fights for their freedom of speech, the other persists that they are being impeded upon by freedom of speech. This begs the question: whose right/freedom trumps whose? We've become accustomed to using right and freedom almost completely interchangeably when, in fact, the two actually have distinguishing qualities. In our country, the two are very closely intertwined, so it's not a huge wonder of how we became so comfortable replacing one with the other. Put simply: we have the right to freedom and the freedom the exercise our rights. And by the same token, our freedom sometimes entitles us to be free from other people exercising their rights. The University of Chicago is our most recent exemplification of this. And while this may not be affecting the whole country, it is quickly becoming a national issue.
As a country built on the principles of freedom, rights and democracy, the University of Chicago's decision to reiterate these values shows which principles we should be focused on upholding. The decision to protect freedom of speech is intended to expose students to the real world around them, good bad and ugly, and teach them how to adapt as intellectuals rather than shirk away from the intimidating aspects of life. After all, isn't that the point of college? To teach us to be bold and audacious, to not live tiptoeing around out of fear, to make us innovative intellectuals who create and think like never before. Moreover, if this freedom is being carefully upheld for students then how much more should we be striving to protect our freedoms as Americans. We've all been guilty of taking both our rights and freedoms for granted but in a time of such uncertainty around our nations future we should be appreciating our liberties and trying to preserve them as best we can.
