I have been a little concerned about the actions of the school during coming out week in regards to the rock painter.  While I totally disagree with what he did and his message, I recognize his right to say it. However, it felt like the school was coming to close to questioning the perpetrator’s right to say what he did. As much as we may not like it, the rock painter does have the right to express his opinion.  This right is codified in the constitution as the right to freedom of speech. The right to freedom of speech is meant to protect the speech we don’t want to hear.  The school has not officially said the rock painter did not have the right of freedom of speech, but their actions come close to trying to suppress not only his, but any “hateful” speech.

While as individual students the members of the student senate have the right to disagree with the rock painter’s actions, by representing the school, the student senates actions amount to the school condemning the action and the painter’s speech. The same is true of President Ohle’s message on Tuesday.  In neither case did the representative of the school try to attack the idea but instead they attacked the person. By suggesting that the painter should be punished, and by condemning an action of free speech, the school is stepping over the line and is violating its students rights.

While the school may not like what it deems as hateful speech, the school has no right to try and stop people from expressing their freedom. Bad ideas are weakest when exposed to the light of day, by trying to discourage this kind of speech, the school is really making the matter worse not better.

Kevin Fortuna ‘13