NO MORE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES?
by Erin Stewart (Brantford, Ontario)
The Expositor February 2, 2009
It’s come to my attention that universities are the breeding grounds for limitations of human rights; one group of people or another is constantly being treated as unequal. This is unacceptable, no matter what the reason is.Recently, I learned that the University of Calgary has placed limitations on an event that has been happening since 2006 on the campus. The Genocide Awareness Program is put on every year by the Pro-Life group on campus and includes a visual display of the horrific slaughters that have happened around the world, including the Holocaust and abortions. It is meant to provoke dialogue among onlookers. The University is threatening suspension, expulsion or arrest of students participating in this event, if they do not comply with their new “requirements”. The requirements include turning the posters/visuals inwards, implying that the view can be expressed as long as no one can hear them. The students’ union at the university has also threatened to charge fines or revoke club status if they disobey the University.
This is not the first time something like this has happened. Early last year, York University banned its Pro-Life group from even being allowed to meet on campus. Across other Canadian universities, anti-abortion groups and clubs have has their “club” status revoked on campus. This is especially interesting considering all students are forced to pay equal fees to their student governments on campus.
Regardless of whether you have a personal stance or issue with the particular subject matter of this specific debate – please recognize the slippery slope that is occurring here: when one individual or group’s freedoms are limited, sloppy principles are left behind that pave the way to limitations coming about from all directions and in all walks of life. Even if you don’t agree with what someone is saying, it needs to be recognized that they have the right to express that view.
Do we not live in a free country where everyone is entitled to their opinion and freedom of speech? The last time I checked, I am allowed to walk into a coffee shop with a friend or group of friends and discuss whatever our conversation leads us to; so can anyone else that wants to. How is it possibly justifiable to limit a group of students from doing the exact same thing in a building owned by an organization they are all forced to pay to be a part of? This is a gross violation of human rights. I hope that these universities, take a step back and realize the example they are allowing to be set for all of society – and I hope they reconsider and follow the ultimate principle set forth by our Nation: Freedom.
