In our 25th episode of the Madness Chronicles, we’ll take a look at the madness over what happened to free speech. Remember, madness is a state of being mentally ill, severely, extremely foolish behavior, and a state of frenzied or chaotic activity. Let’s take a look at the zany and maddening happenings in the world of free speech.
At Iowa State University, English Professor Chloe Clark told her students that they were forbidden from criticizing BLM, LGBTQ ad infinitum, or be anti-abortion in their papers and projects. Here’s a question, has she heard of the First Amendment? At the University of Pittsburgh, a medicine professor has lost his administrative position at its affiliated hospital. His sin? He wrote an academic paper that argues affirmative action has harmed “the medical academy.” Apparently, opinions are punished at Pitt?
In an opposite example, at the University of Washington, a recent student op-ed was titled ‘Yes, all cops are bastards.’ Apparently, the First Amendment is appropriately applied here? Moving back to the east coast, at Stockton University, a 20-minute drive from Atlantic City, New Jersey, a student was charged with disruptive behavior, discrimination, harassment, and creating a hostile environment that caused’ harm.’ Oh, he was also charged with cyberbullying. What on earth did this kid do? He used President Trump’s image as his Zoom background during an online class. I wonder if they called SWAT?
Moving up to New England, Boston University disinvited author Edward Ball, who wrote “Life of a Klansman: A Family History of White Supremacy.” The book tells the story of his Ku Klux Klan-member great-grandfather. It was supposed to have been a discussion Ibram Kendi, a Boston University professor whose 2019 book “How to Be an Antiracist,” is practically required reading on the average campus. Students were outraged, and the administration caved. Why?
At Wright State University, an economics professor was barred from teaching class critical of Marxism to the student body. They protested that if it was in favor of Marxism, that was one thing. If it is against Marxism, well, that was a different thing. The administration again caved to the students’ demands. Go figure?
At Skidmore College, the students demanded a professor be suspended after they saw online he had attended a pro-police rally. He was suspended, and an investigation was conducted, and he was later reinstated. Students today are taking themselves quite seriously. It’s like they actually know something?
Moving to Fordham University, finally, a student who was punished is fighting back. He is a Chinese immigrant student who actually knows what being oppressed is, said,’ I am fighting for something bigger than myself.’ The University punished him for posting an Instagram photo meant to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China. Where do universities come off thinking they have the right to control a student’s life or students controlling a professor’s life away from campus? It is madness.
The First Amendment says specifically regarding free speech that ‘Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech’. Interestingly, there are no subparts or clauses-just a simple right. Enough is enough. The silent majority better speak up before they are forced to remain silent.
May we wake from this madness before it’s too late. I wish you good health, and until next time, have fun, enjoy life, and watch out for the madness amongst us. It’s 2020 and getting out of hand.