From Roy Henry
To the Editor:
“I disagree with what you say, but I will die to defend your right to say it.” Cicero said that many, many years before the United States Bill of Rights was ever even thought about. After reading your editorial in the November 9 edition of The Colonnade, I thought that this might be a point to consider.
While in total agreement with you over the point that the actions of the Auburn fraternity were asinine to the nth degree, I disagree with you over your recommended course of punishment (“both fraternities should have their charter status revoked”).
Our freedom of speech was intended not to protect speech with which we agree, but rather to protect the speech with which we disagree, no matter how vehement that disagreement might be. While there are limitations on free speech (read Justice Holmes explanation of this), these particular acts do not fall under those limitations.
I fear that punishing someone for this is perilously close to thought crime, and that is far more dangerous than a Halloween party, no matter how distasteful it was.
Do I abhor racism? With all of my being. Do I believe that this party was held by some ignorant backwoods clods, whose outlook on life is shortsighted at best, racist at worst? I think the pictures speak for themselves. But do I believe that they should be punished for holding views that are, by all standards, despicable? I most certainly do not.
If groups such as the ACLU will fight to protect the speech of groups such as the North American Man/Boy Love Association, whose motto is “Sex before eight or it’s too late,” then I believe it is quite hypocritical not to fight also for the right to hold these views. The right to free speech, in whatever form it may take, is fundamental to our liberty and the American way of life.
Sincerely,
Roy Henry
Junior, Political Science
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 30 2001. Filed under Letters to the Editor.
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