No Room for Honor or Respect
College campuses in recent years have become a hotbed of controversial demonstrations and protests that focus on shutting down certain voices. Instead of scholarly debate and student activism, the free thinking environment on many campuses has shifted. What was once a place for young people to engage in civil discourse, has now become a place of censorship, bullying and blatant disrespect.
The shouts of groups that are pushing for the cancellation of mainstream voices are growing louder. The new trend on college campuses is that only certain groups should be supported or protected. Today, as a result of the cancel culture and “woke” mentality, students are being allowed to interrupt or cancel speakers that don’t agree with their own policies. They have been allowed to target certain religious and political groups that disagree with this new wave of social justice. |
Just a few past examples:
Why are these conservative or cultural minorities being pushed to the fringes of the campus, and forced to meet in different venues? If the discrimination of social justice groups, or LGBTQ rights agencies is not allowed, why are republicans and conservative organizations being shut down?
Just this month, students at Yale University disrupted a planned event at the Law School. The forum was a planned debate between two attorneys, one a liberal and the other conservative. They planned to discuss many topics, including religion and politics. This meeting was an opportunity to model for law students that it was possible to have a healthy discourse among differing opinions. However, the event was interrupted by mask-wearing, sign carrying protesters who shouted that their free speech rights were more important than the exercise that was attempting to demonstrate the importance of - FREE SPEECH. These students were yelling obscenities, and accosting one of the participants who is a member of the Alliance Defending Freedom.
- Jewish students in California are being attacked verbally and physically by supporters of the BDS movement (boycotting Israel for their treatment of Palestinians in that country). Anti-Semitic speakers, protests and leaders have been allowed to rally and demonstrate on campuses which have been seen as hate speech. However, many Pro-Jewish leaders' speeches and events have been canceled or banned from campus.
- The Stanford University student government blocked a request by the Young Republicans to host an event that included former Vice President Mike Pence. FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), a group fighting violations of student speech on campuses throughout the country, fought back. After finding “evidence of viewpoint-based discrimination” towards the Young Republicans at Stanford, publicly called out their violation, and Stanford allowed the event to proceed.
Why are these conservative or cultural minorities being pushed to the fringes of the campus, and forced to meet in different venues? If the discrimination of social justice groups, or LGBTQ rights agencies is not allowed, why are republicans and conservative organizations being shut down?
Just this month, students at Yale University disrupted a planned event at the Law School. The forum was a planned debate between two attorneys, one a liberal and the other conservative. They planned to discuss many topics, including religion and politics. This meeting was an opportunity to model for law students that it was possible to have a healthy discourse among differing opinions. However, the event was interrupted by mask-wearing, sign carrying protesters who shouted that their free speech rights were more important than the exercise that was attempting to demonstrate the importance of - FREE SPEECH. These students were yelling obscenities, and accosting one of the participants who is a member of the Alliance Defending Freedom.
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The sentiment from Yale professor, Kristen Waggoner called this latest event “unfortunate, alarming and volatile” is spot on.
As of right now, the students involved in the protest at Yale have not been reprimanded or disciplined. These types of incidents need to be addressed. They are only showing these young “woke” students of the cancel culture that they can get away with these tactics. The Yale Law students have demonstrated that they can completely disregard the code of ethics set forth by the institution. If this is not addressed by Yale, college students will see that they can dishonor leaders and the authority of the colleges themselves, without recourse. |
One of the most prestigious justices in the country, Senior Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, emailed his fellow judges about the incident:
"The latest events at Yale Law School, in which students attempted to shout down speakers participating in a panel discussion on free speech, prompt me to suggest that students who are identified as those willing to disrupt any such panel discussion should be noted. All federal judges—and all federal judges are presumably committed to free speech—should carefully consider whether any student so identified should be disqualified from potential clerkships."
It is the job of leaders, teachers and parents alike to raise children with a healthy respect for their fellow man, as well as authority and honor for those who have been placed over them. The woke culture has wiped out this notion by newly acceptable concepts of “canceling” voices and mistreating professionals.
Conservative parents should remind their children of Ephesians 6 that says “Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” If children learn to honor and respect the adults who raise them, then they will learn to engage in civil discourse with their peers, as well as honor their elders, including leaders and teachers. This will in turn make them the change that college campuses need.
Conservative parents should remind their children of Ephesians 6 that says “Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” If children learn to honor and respect the adults who raise them, then they will learn to engage in civil discourse with their peers, as well as honor their elders, including leaders and teachers. This will in turn make them the change that college campuses need.
How can I help?
There are many different ways that citizens can get involved in the educational process. Schools are asking for participation in many different ways. The schools along the corridor have made school board meetings readily available for the public to watch and participate in. Together, we can contribute time and attention to our young people. Below is a list of opportunities:
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
- Bennett * Mrs. Robin Purdy
- Strasburg * Ms. Monica Johnson
- Byers * Mr. Tom Turrell
- Deer Trail * Mr. BJ Buchmann