I am stunned at the turn the Wespeak submissions have taken in the past month. I have become embarrassed by and for this student body. As Wespeaks Editor I have a simple role; I read each submission, I make sure it’s 750 words, I may add or delete a comma, a period or an ‘and.’ Then, I spell check, delete the extra spaces and format. That’s it; I do not change the content and the submission is printed. In the last couple of issues, my role has changed. Now I’m forced to figure out what to do when I receive a piece that personally attacks a member of this community. It is a role that I find upsetting and disheartening.
I do not understand why students constantly fight for freedom of speech when they are unable to respect the words of those they do not agree with.
Statements such as “Fuck you,” “Who do you think you are to say…” “Blow me” and “Have a good life asshole” should never appear in a Wespeak. The Argus provides a forum for open and respectful discussion. How dare some students on this campus ruin that sentiment. In response to recent Wespeaks, many people have told me in person or via email that they are afraid to submit.
How is censorship through intimidation different than erasing a chalking? Have we reached the point where only a handful of students have the right to vocalize their viewpoint? How can we move forward when the rare times that an opinion against the Wes-norm is expressed it is immediately attacked. Just because some people are consistently loud with their opinions, does not mean they have the only valid thoughts on campus.
Intimidation may temporarily silence, but the moment you say “fuck you” to someone else’s voice, you and your group loose the support of others. There are so many ways to express contrasting views, please refrain from personal attacks.
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