North Dakota State U. Policy Includes Pledge Against ‘Violence in Language’
“If it’s interpreted to mean offensive speech, and the statement is enforced to stifle such speech, then this would pose free speech issues.”
It’s probably safe to assume that progressives get to decide which speech is considered violence.
The College Fix reports:
North Dakota State U. pledge against ‘violence in language’ raises free speech concerns
Legal experts have raised questions about the constitutionality of certain diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at North Dakota State University, including a “statement of inclusivity” opposing “violence in language or in action.”
Attorney Zach Greenberg, a fellow with Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, expressed concerns about the vague language in the statement, saying “’Violence in language’ could be interpreted a variety of different ways.”
“If it’s interpreted to mean offensive speech, and the statement is enforced to stifle such speech, then this would pose free speech issues. It depends on how the statement is interpreted and enforced,” Greenberg told The College Fix in a recent email.
The diversity, equity, and inclusion statement from the public university’s College of Business aims to help students “feel safe” and provide “space to be their own person.”
The statement emphasizes that the college works to make sure “diversity” and “inclusion” are incorporated both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, it “condemn[s] acts of hate and bigotry as antithetical to the College’s core values.”
“We stand opposed to violence in language or in action, and we see intolerance as a threat to the mission of the College of Business, as we are committed to intellectual and cultural growth of our students, team, and community,” the statement reads.
However, the College of Business did not specifically state what would suffice as “violence in language” or what could potentially go against its core principles. And it did not respond to The College Fix‘s questions about the statement.
The Fix reached out to Kay Hopkins, the site director for the College of Business, and the university’s media requests team for clarification of what is deems to be “violence in language.” Neither responded to multiple emails and a phone call over the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, Greenberg at FIRE told The Fix colleges can punish students for “unprotected true” threats or harassment, but they cannot punish “speech perceived as violent, hateful, or offensive,” because that would violate the First Amendment.
“While the university can put forth its own statement about speech it dislikes, it should make clear that students and professors can express violent language,” Greenberg said.
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Comments
Just because somebody takes offense at something that’s said does not allow government to suppress it or to punish it. Poor taste or offensive speech are not punishable by government entities.
Any words can offend someone, but words are not violence. No one is harmed, traumatized or made unsafe by someone else’s opinion or viewpoint, and anyone who says otherwise is afraid someone else might hear what you say and agree with you. Someone might be upset or offended, but that’s not the same as a punch in the nose.
What the heck is “violence in language” anyway?
People, think! Please.
It costs over $75,000 to get a degree from NDSU.
If you enroll at NDSU, you only have a 50-60% chance to graduate.
Of those who graduate, about 30% cannot repay their student loans.
[Source: CollegeScorecard Ed Gov]
Is this what you want?
Think. You have better options.
Germany made it illegal to disparage the Holocaust.
See where that led them.
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