Students Love Free Speech | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Students Love Free Speech

Turning Point USA's Free Speech event was able to get students and faculty alike excited about free speech.

78
Students Love Free Speech

Last Wednesday the conservative group on UNO's campus, Turning Point USA, held a free speech event. The club had giant beach ball in which students could write whatever they wanted on it without fear of any consequences. The statements written on the ball ranged from "Trump=Hitler" to hilarious messages such as "Feminism is Cancer". This free speech ball event received quite a bit of positive feedback and a few negative ones of course.

How it works is that if you are upset by a message on the ball then you can take a marker and write a counter argument. You do not have the right to silence someone, even if you disagree with what they have to say. However some extremely sensitive students did not think this way. One student came by and wrote an anti-Semitic message on the ball. The message read "Jews don't deserve rights". That is clearly an awful statement. I am very much Pro-Israel and I find that statement disgusting. Did I disagree with the statement? Of course I did, but it was an opinion and not a direct threat so it stays on the ball.

Shortly after, these two students came over to questio

n me why I kept the message on the ball and I did not cross it out. I said that even though it is a horrible statement, it is still protected. They said that it is not protected, it is slander. Slander is when someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another, which untruth will harm the reputation of the person or persons being defamed. This horrible statement was someone's opinion about a group, not slander.

I asked the two students if someone was physically harmed by the statement written on the ball and they ignorantly replied "yes". Another person came up and altered the statement to read "Jews don't deserve to lose rights", yet this still did not make the other students happy. Since I was not going to remove the statement, the beta male decided to report me to UNO security for a disturbance. UNO security came over and I explained what happened. They did not stay long since they knew the reason they came over was complete nonsense.

The event turned out to be a huge success, faculty and students alike all had a great time writing their messages on the ball. Free speech does not exist on many campuses and we do this to promote our 1st Amendment rights. These overly sensitive students need to learn that words are not violence and you do not have the right to shut down someone else's opinion because it does not line up with yours. I am not defending the statement that was written, I am only defending his right to say it. The University of Nebraska at Omaha needs to tell these students to grow up. If you are upset by words written on a giant beach ball, then you should not be in college.

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

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

9615
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

4244
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

3106
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

2798
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments