![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Let Me Say This Again...
Apr. 23rd, 2017 09:05 amApparently, I have to keep repeating myself because the message isn't sinking in; universities do a disservice to their students when they don't allow people to speak on their campuses simply because their students disagree with them.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Citing "security concerns" in prohibiting controversial speakers is not only transparently a cop-out, it allows fringe elements too much power; all one need do now is phone in a threat, and the university has a ready-made excuse for cancelling a speaker without admitting it was actually about the content of the speech.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
What is everyone so afraid of? That they might be swayed by the speaker into changing their minds? That the speakers ideas may "infect" people? Debate is about refuting your opponents stance, it is not about stifling your opponents ability to make an argument. Listen to what they say, then take down their argument piece by piece. It's only people who cannot debate who want their opponent to be unable to make their argument.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
You learn by debate. You learn nothing by saying, in effect, "shut up". Universities are places of learning, are they not? Should they not be places where controversial, even down-right wrong, arguments can be debated and refuted?
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Are you so unsure of your beliefs that you can't afford to have them questioned? Strengthen them by debate, don't tell someone to "shut-up" to try to safeguard them.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Lastly, do you not understand the huge publicity value you're giving to these speakers by denying them the ability to speak? You're allowing them to say "See, liberals think my ideas are so dangerous that they wont let me even speak on the campuses"
This gives the people you oppose WAY too much power.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Don't demonstrate, don't riot, don't physically fight with their supporters. Politely hear them out, refute what they have to say, and go on with your lives.
If you do that, these people fade into the obscurity they so richly deserve. That is the worst thing you can do to these people. Say to them, "We've heard you, this is why you're completely wrong. You've been given a chance to make your argument, Bye Felicia."
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Citing "security concerns" in prohibiting controversial speakers is not only transparently a cop-out, it allows fringe elements too much power; all one need do now is phone in a threat, and the university has a ready-made excuse for cancelling a speaker without admitting it was actually about the content of the speech.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
What is everyone so afraid of? That they might be swayed by the speaker into changing their minds? That the speakers ideas may "infect" people? Debate is about refuting your opponents stance, it is not about stifling your opponents ability to make an argument. Listen to what they say, then take down their argument piece by piece. It's only people who cannot debate who want their opponent to be unable to make their argument.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
You learn by debate. You learn nothing by saying, in effect, "shut up". Universities are places of learning, are they not? Should they not be places where controversial, even down-right wrong, arguments can be debated and refuted?
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Are you so unsure of your beliefs that you can't afford to have them questioned? Strengthen them by debate, don't tell someone to "shut-up" to try to safeguard them.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Lastly, do you not understand the huge publicity value you're giving to these speakers by denying them the ability to speak? You're allowing them to say "See, liberals think my ideas are so dangerous that they wont let me even speak on the campuses"
This gives the people you oppose WAY too much power.
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.
Don't demonstrate, don't riot, don't physically fight with their supporters. Politely hear them out, refute what they have to say, and go on with your lives.
If you do that, these people fade into the obscurity they so richly deserve. That is the worst thing you can do to these people. Say to them, "We've heard you, this is why you're completely wrong. You've been given a chance to make your argument, Bye Felicia."
THERE IS NO IDEA SO DANGEROUS IT CANNOT BE DISCUSSED.