Brian Price
Let's Hear it for Free Speech!
It's nice to know that freedom of thought and expression are alive and well on the BYU campus. On Tuesday the Reader's Forum published a commentary titled 'Appalled, et. al,' in which three young men valiantly offered their names 'in full support' of a policy to force the apologies out of anyone not confining themselves to a small, narrow-minded set of norms and values.
Get off your soapbox!
I agree that some of the listed items are things with which I do not agree, but let's face the facts that not everyone thinks the same. Who appointed these young men as a special commission on the restraint and regulation of thought?
To voice an opinion is well and good, even laudable; but to go as far as to deem the thoughts and political orientations of another as a step towards domination by the 'military-industrial complex' is a course change from the free speech and political idealism that founded this country toward a regime of isolationists and pious, self-righteous nay-sayers. If we are really going to be a 'stew' at BYU of thought and ideas and culture, we need to be more accepting of the beliefs of others. If that, however, is not a part of our mission, would it be better to have a book burning of everything that does not subscribe to the criteria of said commission?
Should we hold interviews on thoughts and political orientation in addition to the ecclesiastical and Honor Code interviews? I suggest that before railing on those who don't fit into a near-sighted niche as Honor-Code violators, read the Honor Code first. Most of the things on the list are not even mentioned in the code. Loosen up your ties, commission members, and enjoy the experience of finding the possible good in all things. The world's not going to go up in a flaming ball of smoke tomorrow because someone on campus 'rips on Afterglow,' or because your professor is too tough a grader.