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National Coalition Calls for Campus Censorship of "Offensive" Speech (washingtonpost.com)

schwit1 writes with this opinion piece from Eugene Volokh, who teaches free speech law at UCLA School of Law, about the push to ban "offensive" speech and censor websites on campus. He writes: "A large coalition of advocacy groups has asked the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to pressure colleges to (1) punish students for their speech and (2) block student access to certain Web sites — especially sites such as Yik Yak, which allow students to anonymously post their views..... Yet another example of today's Anti-Free Speech Movement for American universities — unfortunately, one that fits well into the Education Department's attitudes. Fortunately, courts have firmly rejected these kinds of calls to restrict college student speech, though the OCR and the college administrations it pressures can get away with a lot of restrictions until the lawsuits are actually brought."

17 of 585 comments (clear)

  1. The coddling of the american mind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/
    goes into more details...

  2. Oh sigh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is the worst possible thing to do, not just for the basic liberties. The Atlantic published an article explaining why.

    We can't cocoon people and then let them out into the world. This is elementary-school treatment at a University Level.

    1. Re:Oh sigh by chipschap · · Score: 2, Informative

      At some point the offspring will encounter opposing view points, perhaps discover that evil exists in the world.

      They are being taught that evil exists in the world, in the form of straight white males.

  3. Offensive, but so is this article by drinkypoo · · Score: 1, Informative

    Now wait, I'm not saying don't get offended, you can go ahead and do that and it's even reasonable. But the WP article is inventive, inflammatory bullshit, shock amazement. For instance, this little snark-shit:

    âoeinitiat[e] campus disciplinary proceedings against individuals engaging in online harassmentâ â" including, apparently, for saying things such as âoe[African-Americansâ(TM)] entire culture just isnâ(TM)t conducive to a life of successâ

    In fact, the quote "[African-Americansâ(TM)] entire culture just isnâ(TM)t conducive to a life of success" was not provided as an example of behavior deserving of disciplinary proceedings, only of harassment:

    Anonymous race-based harassment through Yik Yak is also pervasive on college campuses. At American University in Washington, DC, for example, Yakkers posted successive invidious comments targeting African-Americans, such as âoeTheir entire culture just isnâ(TM)t conducive to a life of success. It just isnâ(TM)t. The outfits. The attitudes. The behavior.â Another comment read, âoeSlavery was the worst thing to happen to this country, bringing them over hereâ¦ugh.â African-American students have also been targeted at Clemson University in South Carolina. One Yakker wrote, âoeI would be completely ok with Clemson being an all white school. Except for football.â Another said, âoeThe only thing niggers are good for is making Clemson better at football.â Still another, âoeJesus I hate black people.â At Clemson, hateful Yaks also targeted Indian students and East Asians, referred to as âoechinks,â in addition to LGBT students, Mormons, and women.

    Frankly though, if you look at this from the no news is good news perspective, it looks mostly like a press release for YikYak: "The use of Yik Yak to threaten and harass students is of particular note because the application is so pervasive on college campuses." [...] "Yik Yak has grown quickly since launching in 2013. Using a business model focused on marketing to college students, Yik Yak now has millions of users. It is on about 1600 college campuses with around 50 to 80 percent of each student body using the application. In the fall of 2014, Yik Yak experienced about 100,000 downloads per day"[...]

    Oh, really? Tell me more.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  4. Re:Liberals by ganjadude · · Score: 3, Informative

    libertarian. thats what you describe

    --
    have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
  5. Re:Liberals by Obfuscant · · Score: 3, Informative

    They are defining a false kind of freedom without respect or responsibility.

    Two buzzwords often used in the arguments in favor of squelching speech that isn't "respectful" or "responsible".

  6. That coalition isn't that large, really by damn_registrars · · Score: 4, Informative
    If you read the cited document (I know, not a popular thing to do around here) you can see the "coalition" at the end of the document. Notably absent from here is any university or any organization authorized to speak on behalf of one. Their list is as follows:

    Feminist Majority Foundation
    Advocates for Youth
    American Association of University Women
    Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
    Black Womenâ€(TM)s Blueprint
    Black Womenâ€(TM)s Health Imperative
    Center for Partnership Studies
    Center for Women Policy Studies
    Champion Women
    Clearinghouse on Womenâ€(TM)s Issues
    Digital Sisters/Sistas
    End Rape on Campus
    GLSEN
    Hollaback!
    Human Rights Campaign
    Institute for Science and Human Values
    Jewish Women International
    Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
    Legal Momentum
    Media Equity Collaborative
    Muslim Advocates
    National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity
    National Black Justice Coalition
    National Center for Lesbian Rights
    National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
    National Council of Jewish Women
    National Council of Womenâ€(TM)s Organizations
    National Disability Rights Network
    National Domestic Violence Hotline
    National LGBTQ Taskforce
    National Organization for Women
    National Womenâ€(TM)s Law Center
    SPARK Movement
    SurvJustice
    The Andrew Goodman Foundation
    Turning Anger into Change
    UltraViolet
    WMC Speech Project
    Womenâ€(TM)s Media Center
    YWCA USA

    Local Organizations
    Atlanta Women for Equality
    Collective Action for Safe Spaces
    DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
    DC Rape Crisis Center
    Democratic Womenâ€(TM)s Club of Northeast Broward
    Empowerment Center â€" Maryland
    Lincoln County Oregon Democratic Central Committee
    National Organization for Women â€" Akron Area, Ohio Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Boulder, Colorado Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Brevard, Florida Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Central Oregon Coast Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Florida Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Greater Orlando, Florida Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Indiana Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Maryland Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Middlesex County, New Jersey Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Ni-Ta-Nee, Pennsylvania Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Oregon Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Palm Beach County, Florida Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Pennsylvania Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Rhode Island Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Shore Area, New Jersey Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Tacoma, Washington Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Tampa, Florida Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Thurston County, Washington Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Virginia Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Washington Chapter
    National Organization for Women â€" Washington, DC Chapter
    Network for Victim Recovery of D.C.
    PFLAG Oregon Central Coast
    Womenâ€(TM)s Production Network (Florida)

    --
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  7. Re:Liberals by kenai_alpenglow · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since you're an AC and not likely to be noticed, here's a list of some of the orgs. I don't recognize any that could be considered anything but liberal: Feminist Majority Foundation, Advocates for Youth, American Association of University Women, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, Black Women’s Blueprint, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Center for Partnership Studies, Center for Women Policy Studies, Champion Women, Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, Digital Sisters/Sistas, End Rape on Campus, GLSEN, Hollaback!, Human Rights Campaign, Institute for Science and Human Values, Jewish Women International, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Legal Momentum, Media Equity Collaborative, Muslim Advocates, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of Women’s Organizations, National Disability Rights Network, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National LGBTQ Taskforce, National Organization for Women, National Women’s Law Center, SPARK Movement, SurvJustice, The Andrew Goodman Foundation, Turning Anger into Change, UltraViolet, WMC Speech Project, Women’s Media Center, YWCA USA

  8. Re:Liberals by khallow · · Score: 4, Informative

    This coalition is not "liberals", it probably covers a large range of political backgrounds. If you look at attitudes historically, left leaning political views are very often more tolerant than right leaning views.

    But as in this case usually aren't. The list consisted of dozens of left leaning multi-cultural groups mixed with a few anti-rape groups. Not a single member had anything to do with "conservative" viewpoints, unless you choose to count the handful of mildly religious-oriented groups. I think it's instructive to consider the chasm between the propaganda mentioned in your quote above and the reality of the political affiliations of the groups actually calling for suppression of free speech.

  9. Re:Dear National Coalition by ClickOnThis · · Score: 3, Informative

    Also, it doesn't beg the question. It raises the question.

    Begging the question is a logical fallacy, not a rhetorical device. It refers to circular or tautological reasoning.

    --
    If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
  10. Re:Liberals by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 4, Informative

    Liberal literally refers to "liber" (latin for free). Even if they consider themselves liberals, they are not. Whether they are left right up or down, they sure as shit aren't liberals. There are plenty of people on all political sides trying to ban what they find to be obscene. Fuck them all.

  11. Re: Censoring speech... by ewibble · · Score: 3, Informative

    That is simply not true, we do pollute more, that is because we have more people and are much more effective at getting resources.

    But killing is just wrong while we do kill people, we probably live in the most peaceful time in human existence.

    Here are murder rates:
    http://marginalrevolution.com/...

    if you want a citation from wars:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

    also think about deaths from illness,

    Also in the past remember slavery was acceptable,

    I am as pessimistic as the next person but don't blind yourself with false assumptions.

  12. Re:Liberals by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1, Informative

    Citation please. Because I haven't heard any mainstream conservative groups try to restrict free speech.

    I don't know if you would call the Bush Administration "mainstream conservative" or not, but...

    http://www.theamericanconserva...

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  13. I guess you just outed yourself as anti-science by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    The FACT is that, using the federal govt's own stats, HIV in the US is primarily a male homosexual disease. It's common in the English-speaking world to say that a bad thing affecting a particular group is a "curse" (with no witch or witchdoctor implications - it's a figure of SPEECH, which I guess the left cannot tolerate).

    When ALL the stats, even those collected by people with a political agenda contrary to the results, say that a particular thing is associated with a particular subset of the population it is completely dishonest/ignorant/childish to insist that the objective stats are true. HIV prevalence in all Western societies is primarily among those who engage in male homosexual acts (both homosexual men and bisexual men). HIV affects IV drug users to a lesser extent, and to a lesser extent the sexual partners of the afore-mentioned three groups. The African continent is the outlier in having HIV as a large problem in the "normal" population because the cultural norms are very different and ignorance in many "at-risk" populations is stunning; There are ares of Africa, for example, where men believe they can be cured of AIDS by having sex with young virgin girls. That sort of stuff pushes HIV into the non-gay population in a way that simply will never happen in the Western world.

    Bill Buckley was right on this, as on many other things.

    Oh, and the Democrats in California passed a law in 2000 making it illegal to teach anything like this in the schools - anything that can be construed as "anti-gay" is illegal in the public schools - so much for "free speech" and liberals supporting truth and science.

  14. Re:Censoring speech... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative
  15. Re:Liberals by Antique+Geekmeister · · Score: 3, Informative

    > Because I haven't heard any mainstream conservative groups try to restrict free speech;

    Oh, my. Have you really not paid attention to the censorship of Planned Parenthood from discussing abortion with women? Or of discussing birth control in high schools? Or of teaching evolution in science classes? Or did you ignore the attempts by the US government to censoe the Pentagon Papers, or to censor Analog science magazine from printing details of the basic physical design of a simple atom bomb? Or of ongoing restrictions on publishing cryptography or security vulnerabilities, evidenced by speeches being censored at DefCon? Or the "Comic Book Code", applied to American comc books for decades?

  16. Re: Censoring speech... by drinkypoo · · Score: 1, Informative

    Look at how the Aztec managed things, for example.

    Sure, but look at how the Ohlone managed things, or the Pomo. Some of these people had stable, peaceful societies for over ten thousand years. The Pomo in particular fit that description. Then Andrew Kelsey showed up, raped and enslaved them, and when they finally fought back and killed him the US 1st Cavalry showed up to change Island Village into Bloody Island with a big fat massacre. Who's the savage now?

    Every taking of land -- ever, I suspect -- was done by some fairly active stomping of the locals into the ground or enslaving them, abusing them, etc. by the stronger and/or more technologically sophisticated party (but I repeat myself.)

    Not necessarily. Modern humans interbred with Neanderthals. Not everyone is xenophobic.

    Characterizing our Native Americans as innocents to whom evil was done doesn't seem to be even close to an accurate representation of history.

    If you want to get all pedantic, "our Native Americans" doesn't even include the Azteks. That was someone else's Native Americans. They pretty much went extinct because they used up their resources. We still have some Maya, though. They're still around, they just don't have their massive culture any more.

    In the area we now consider to be the continental US, the tribes' behavior pretty much matched the landscape. The desert tribes would as soon kill you as give you water. The tribes who lived where there was plenty were considerably more generous... much to their detriment.

    Characterizing our Native Americans as innocents to whom evil was done doesn't seem to be even close to an accurate representation of history.

    I don't remember anyone calling them innocents. I think the idea was that they had stable societies that were often based on fairly egalitarian ideals. Nobody in the society was encouraged or enabled to amass wealth at the expense of others, and the community's first interest was the community and not just some individuals. This enabled them to build societies that persisted for literally thousands of years, some of them in peace where they didn't have too many hungry neighbors.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"