Upholding The First Amendment Right WILL Effect The University Of Cincinnati | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Upholding The First Amendment Right WILL Effect The University Of Cincinnati

Students yield the power to control the outcome of Spencer's hate-filled speech.

42
Upholding The First Amendment Right WILL Effect The University Of Cincinnati
unsplash

UC students, let’s brace ourselves. With the looming prospect of white supremacist Richard Spencer coming to speak at the university's campus, many have an obvious and substantiated distaste toward his presence. The legalities surrounding Spencer’s freedom of speech rights and the campuses duty as a public university to allow any (even offensive) public speakers to voice their patois on campus grounds may supersede the students' and faculties' personal oppositions.

Spencer’s past hate speeches have left a trail of violence, uproar, and even death. Universities fear the wrath of his workings as they’ve shown to produce the opposite effect of fairness by simply giving someone a soapbox to stand on to spread their ideas. His thoughts and those who share them mixed with those who oppose them can, and have, lead to terrible consequences. Thereby, many universities have refused his appearance.

Despite standing along student and faculty wishes, this has led to lawsuits against schools for denying Spencer his right to speak at a public domain. This posits a difficult situation for school officials: either deny Spencer his right to speak and unwittingly pay this racist bigot a large sum of money or allow him to speak and put students at risk for the same tragedy that befell Charlottesville.

It is my opinion that money should not be a factor to be weighed in the making of this decision. Still, whether or not he comes to the University of Cincinnati after given permission on the basis of upholding his first amendment rights, the real concern is how will his presence influence reactions.

Spewing venomous hate disguised as political opinion can aptly ruffle the feathers of progressive and intelligent UC scholars. However, our response as students will be the definitive marker for the outcome of Spencer’s rally. Expressing opinions that oppose Spencer’s without reducing our minds and character to the lowest depths as he and others like him may expect from us is key to keeping this tension-filled anticipation from becoming a violent demonstration when it occurs. As students, it is up to us to control how this situation will ensue.

Let's not give this man the power to disrupt the united community we've so proudly built together.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

188187
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13650
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456917
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26061
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments