The freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed to every citizen by the U.S. Constitution. Thus, it does not come as a surprise when leading universities, led by legislators seek policies to embrace the right of free speech for other students without them being discriminated against due to the ideological differences raised therein (Peters, 2018). Such notable moves include the University of Wisconsin's Board of Regents' move to impose a three-strike policy that offers immunity to students who are violated for speaking out.
While this may be a step in the right direction, the strict policy may be breeding grounds for abuse of the freedom of expression if not carefully monitored. There is never a guarantee that every voice which seeks an audience is always right, just as much as there is no guarantee that any party that seeks to silence such a voice acts purely out of the fear of losing the status quo. Some opposition may be positive in trying to avert a possible future calamity, such as potential student strikes instigated by propaganda spread under the freedom of expression mantra. Therefore, it is crucial that while universities and other bodies across America continue to protect the right of what they consider the minority groups by giving them a voice and a platform to be heard, they should be monitored to ensure their messages are not ill intended.
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My argument is supported concisely by the Snyder v. Phelps case in which case Albert Snyder pressed a legal suit against the Phelps clan led by Frederick Phelps who paraded Snyder’s neighborhood o the day of the burial of his son demonstrating with obscene signs. Despite the fact that Snyder had lost his soldier son in Iraq, the Phelps showed no sign of empathy but instead went about to show that the death was as a consequence of America’s sinful ways. Such open forms of expression would hurt people like Snyder who was mourning the death of his son, thus should not be allowed to go unquestioned in the society.
References
Peters, J. (2018). In Name of Free Speech, States Crack Down on Campus Protests. The New York Times , pp. 1-5.
