Right in front of the Student Union here at Ole Miss, we have what is referred to as a “free speech zone.” It’s exactly what it sounds like. Anyone in this zone is allowed to voice their opinion to whomever is interested enough to stand around and watch the show. It sounds great, right? I, as a writer and a citizen of the United States, am all for the first amendment right to free speech. However, a consequence of free speech is the manifestation of opinions that are, quite frankly, just awful.
The only times I have ever seen the free speech zone in action were experiences I would not quite call pleasant. Both of these times, people calling themselves Christians inhabited the union courtyard to “preach” to students and faculty. In my opinion, it was more of a condemnation than it was a sermon. According to these “Christians,” I am going to hell for being a sinner (and apparently for wearing shorts). Also, you’re going to hell too. I am certain it was implied that if you weren’t one of them, you were going to hell. Sorry, but it seems you’ve been damned. Actually, I am indeed a Christian myself. I don’t intend to preach because really this isn’t an article about Christianity. However, I am not sure what bible these people are reading because, according to the Bible that I read, Jesus died to save us from our sins so that we wouldn’t be condemned to hell.
Anyway, April 13th, 2016, the rally got particularly interesting. A church called Consuming Fire Fellowship (their name seems rather appropriate) occupied the Union courtyard essentially to tell us all we’re going hell and to argue with audience members about what it says in the Bible. I witnessed one kid, who was, in fact, holding a bible, get shut down over and over by a hateful adult who basically just kept repeating the word “sinner.” My roommate told me she watched the same man later argue with a guy and proceed to call said guy the anti-Christ. Which was ironic considering this guy happens to be a preacher. Honestly, I think the whole thing is ridiculous, but really it’s just sad. In reality, all they are doing is giving Christianity and free speech a bad name.
The point is that what these people are doing is most certainly an abuse of free speech. You ruin the sanctity of free speech for everyone when all you speak is hate, but such is the consequence of free speech. With free speech comes ignorance and hostility. Is it right to allow such opinions like those of Consuming Fire Fellowship to be broadcast to the public? You can’t stop people from having an opinion, but the university created the free speech zone in the first place. If it comes down to it, the university can take it away just as easily. You can’t stop people from having an opinion, but hate has no place anywhere, let alone a college campus. Please, if it even remotely sounds like hate speech, just keep it to yourself.
