Analysis of Jeff Chu's Article Fighting Words 101

Introduction

In the article "Fighting Words 101," Jeff Chu questions whether legislators are the right people to step into action legislating against academic freedom of speech within college campuses (Chu, 2023). Chu explains the idea of bills created by professor Bob Hagedorn and David Horowitz, which are intended to protect both students' and teachers' rights to express personal views through freedom of speech. Chu then adds how legislators use examples like Ward Churchill, following a controversial speech, to demonstrate how universities are going too far and losing touch with the community. Furthermore, Chu explains how controversial speeches coming from professors and students are exercises of freedom of speech. He concludes that it should be up to the universities, rather than the legislators, to decide whether controversial speeches and discussions are appropriate for their college campus.

Analysis of Jeff Chu's Article "Fighting Words 101"

I disagree with the idea that legislators should step into action deciding what students and teachers can say within their college campus. I think it's their given right to exercise their freedom of speech to an extent that is appropriate for others to hear. It is the college's responsibility to decide what is appropriate and what is not, because college is a school for adults who are capable of choosing what to hear and not to hear as individuals. I strongly believe that students' and teachers' academic freedom should be protected because removing opposing opinions and criticism teaches nothing to the students. The idea of having the fear to speak out an individual's opinion causes the college community to become a more biased society towards one side.

If the legislature took the position to control what is appropriate on college campuses, then it takes away the tradition of what college life is all about, which is a student's ability to choose their paths and learn while pursuing them. Two years ago, I had a temporary long-term substitute who was fired from his previous job as a teacher at another school for criticizing President George Bush to his students during a debated topic. During class, we would have political debates relating to the war in Iraq and the president. The class would be split up into two teams, taking turns on each side of the debate, disregarding our personal positions. Every student hated being on sides they were personally against but ironically forgot about it during the intense debate.

We would struggle for questions and answers no matter what side we were debating on, but the point is that I noticed everyone, including myself, participated. At first, I hated the fact I was on the side for the war, but it eventually got me thinking as if I were standing in the President's shoes. This experience taught me to understand the complexities of global politics and the multifaceted arguments that exist around such issues. The idea caused me to learn more points on why the war is still ongoing today and learn each opposing side's views on the war. Just imagining discussing only one view on the war that's going on today, I would have completely learned nothing from the opposing side.

The Importance of Freedom of Speech

The right most people widely recognize in America is the right to freedom of speech. In this case, the bill of academic rights follows through from what people have stood for many years. The idea of having to legislate free speech on college campuses degrades the students' capabilities of learning more from others. No matter how insulting the comment may be to others, it will always teach us what kind of person the commenter is. This awareness can lead to a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and foster a more inclusive environment. In this case, when it comes to statements and speeches relating to political standpoints, it should be the responsibility of the student or teacher to choose whether to listen to it or not. I think legislators should leave it up to the universities to decide what's appropriate and what's not, because as a college society, everyone is viewed as an adult who learns something new every day.

Citations: Chu, J. (2023). Fighting Words 101.