Derek Bok Protecting Freedom Of Expression On The Campus Summary

In Derek Bok’s article “Protecting Freedom of Expression on the Campus,” he states that while some free speech is degrading or offensive, it is still our First Amendment right to say what we want (31-33). Bok brings up the example of two student from Harvard University who hung up a confederate flag. Some people believed that this action was demeaning, since often times the confederacy is equated with slavery. Students of the campus fought to have the symbol taken down. Bok agrees that the way in which the students handled themselves was uncalled for, but at the same time stated that it was their right to display this kind of symbol. Bok believes that deciding what qualifies as free speech, and what doesn’t, is an impossible question to answer.