Summary on Bok's Freedom of Speech Essay

Bok's essay is clear and precise. From the beginning he let's us know his stance on limiting the freedom of speech on college campus'. He makes sure that he speaks in a language that is easy to understand and not offensive. He uses the situation with the flags as an example of some of the things that may happen on campus, and offers two solutions. I believe his argumentative style to be strong, because he knows his audience. I've been to Boston and Cambridge, and many people there have the "that's the way things are done around here attitude. Don't rock the boat. I don't agree with his solutions. On one hand he is saying students should be granted their first amendment right to freedom of speech, but on the other hand he is telling the other students who may be offended by this speech to shut up (just ignore it). Just ignore it. What does that mean? Obviously if they wouldn't have complained it wouldn't have been an issue (for the university). Freedom of speech must work both ways. History in America shows that in the fight for civil rights just ignoring what some see as "the little things" doesn't work for the offended. An example is the state flag of Georgia. For over 50 years the flag of Georgia had the confederate battle flag incorporated into it. The only way it was removed was not by ignoring it , but fighting to change it. To think that ignoring this type of behavior will make it go away seems so naive to me. How would we judge a friend who says " I know my husband cheats, but if I ignore his bad behavior it will stop" His second solution of talking it out with the group or individuals may work in more personal situations, but when you have a group behaving badly confronting their behavior might be dangerous. When in a crowd a person may behave differently than when alone. He states that if the ignoring doesn't work then the "powers that be" should talk with the offenders. What would the "powers that be" say to the offenders? You haven't done anything wrong,... [continues]

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