KKK On Campus - Free Speech or Ban Them?

I read this article on cnn.com this morning (KKK on U Louisville Campus) and was curious how other people felt about it. Not the KKK obviously, but their right to free speech on a public college's campus.

Not sure if you guys have seen it but I always remember a line from the movie The American President with Michael Douglas whenever topics like this come up.

'You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who is standing center stage advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.'

What do you guys think?

as sad as it seems, they do have that right. not really much to discuss about that...

why they are talking about it should be the the topic/contravesary.... i can careless when people use the 'N' word. Half the people don't even know what it reallly means and comes from. There is alot that can be talked about..lets see what others have to say

Well- I am for free speech.. but because the KKK creates a hostile environment and can incite people to violence, I do not think they have a right to be on a college campus.

I didn't read the article yet...But my initial thought is that while the KKK would have freedom of speech, the school also has the right to ban what kinds of groups speak on their campus, no?

Yeah it's one of those damned if you do ones.

Personally, I think the world would be a better place without them...but they do, like the rest of, have a right to voice their beliefs. The best we can do is make sure they fall on deaf ears.

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Posted by MCDO15

as sad as it seems, they do have that right. not really much to discuss about that...

why they are talking about it should be the the topic/contravesary.... i can careless when people use the 'N' word. Half the people don't even know what it reallly means and comes from. There is alot that can be talked about..lets see what others have to say

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I kind of understand where you're coming from on the N word - but the emotions behind it bother me, even though they don't understand the word's true meaning.

For example:

The word K!ke. I hate that word (thankfully I've never been called it). But I didn't know what it meant for real until someone told me. Here's the history (for you trivia/useless info buffs). K!ke comes from the german word for 'Circle' - 'Keicher' (spelling may be incorrect, but it rhymes with Biker). When immigrants came to the US, they were required to sign papers. However, many immigrants were illiterate and would write an 'x' in place of their name, as many illiterate people do. Jews would not write an 'x' as it signifies a cross (for one's 'Christian Name'), so they'd write a circle. So the word only means Circle.

For many years of my life, I've been quite round, so I guess it fits.

However, I know that most people don't know that it means circle. They know it's insulting though, and THAT's what drives its use.

You just got me thinking on that subject.

I agree that inciteful speech does not fall under the category of free speech. Let them call me names and denounce my way of life all they want, but if they're going to call for my death THAT's when it crosses the line.

ETA: Wasn't the KKK declared a Terrorist organization a LONG time ago? Wouldn't their demonstration be illegal to begin with?

I HATE the KKK and they don't like me or my kind. BUt that doesn't mean they don't have a right to speak. They do incite hatred and bigotry, but argueably- so do tons of other mediums: the news, certain songs (Listen to the lyrics of some of our favorite songs- they are so sexist!!), movies (the Passion wasn't so controversial for nothing), books.... I can go on and on. Unfortuneately once we start taking away free speech for some, who is next? Anti Bush protesters?

ETA: If I couldn't bad mouth Bush, I don't know what I woudl ever say

I hate any organization that discriminates and tries to propogate discrimination, but First Amendment applies to all citizens.

On a personal note, I went to St. John's which is a very conservative catholic university, after attenging Nassau, which is very liberal & publicly run. My experience at nassau was better because there were so many differences among the students, and those differences were an integral part of learning. At SJU, there was very little diversity and a HUGE racial and religious divide

The article says that there are two 'free speech zones' on that campus where anyone can speak or post fliers. The article doesn't say what the message on the fliers say, so I am not sure that it falls under one of the restrictions on free speech.

The article also says that one of the professors wants the KKK to be classified as a terrorist group, which has never been done before.

I don't like what the KKK has to say, but if they are not violating the law, they should be able to say whatever they want, hateful and ingnorant as their words may be

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Posted by HearzBellz

At SJU, there was very little diversity and a HUGE racial and religious divide

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I'm confused about this statement.
What do you mean religious divide?

actually i think the german word for circle is kreis (sounds like christ actually w/o the t sound at the end). just curious, where did you hear that little tidbit?

as far as the kkk i guess they have a right to free speech so....

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Posted by HearzBellz

I hate any organization that discriminates and tries to propogate discrimination, but First Amendment applies to all citizens.

On a personal note, I went to St. John's which is a very conservative catholic university, after attenging Nassau, which is very liberal & publicly run. My experience at nassau was better because there were so many differences among the students, and those differences were an integral part of learning. At SJU, there was very little diversity and a HUGE racial and religious divide

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SJU not diverse???? That is strange i went there and it is by far VERY diverse..

As for the freedom of speech, i am extreme...F*** the KKK, they should not be allowed to say squat, to do any of their marches, or have any gatherings...
I can't take that crap...the spreading of hate under any circumstances should not be allowed...(I know i am very extreme on this)

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Posted by oct.2004bride

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Posted by HearzBellz

I hate any organization that discriminates and tries to propogate discrimination, but First Amendment applies to all citizens.

On a personal note, I went to St. John's which is a very conservative catholic university, after attenging Nassau, which is very liberal & publicly run. My experience at nassau was better because there were so many differences among the students, and those differences were an integral part of learning. At SJU, there was very little diversity and a HUGE racial and religious divide

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SJU not diverse???? That is strange i went there and it is by far VERY diverse..

As for the freedom of speech, i am extreme...F*** the KKK, they should not be allowed to say squat, to do any of their marches, or have any gatherings...
I can't take that crap...the spreading of hate under any circumstances should not be allowed...(I know i am very extreme on this)

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I happen to agree with you oct.2004.bride!!
Well Said.

There is a demographic diversity at St. John's, but especially this last semester, there was a very big problem with racial and religious tension. Some stuff happened on campus, and then some of the faculty and administration responded to it in a negagative way & made it worse. It was different when I first went there. I never noticed any tension - I guess I am just upset that it changed

Also, I wanted to mention that if you want to start a student organization, it has to fit within the 'Vincentian Mission.' One of my friends wanted to start a campus chapter of GLAAD, and they would not allow it b/c the church does not recognize homosexuality as a lifestyle.

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Posted by reallybehind!

actually i think the german word for circle is kreis (sounds like christ actually w/o the t sound at the end). just curious, where did you hear that little tidbit?

as far as the kkk i guess they have a right to free speech so....

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Internet research awhile back. But now I'll go back and check on what the German word for circle is.

i agree with the freedom of speech...and , once they open their big mouths up, people will realize how insane they are and will run from them!
have you ever watched those specials about them on the history or biography channel...they sound like a bunch of loons!!!
telling them they can't speak is exactly what they are looking for and it gives them more attention than they deserve!

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Posted by HearzBellz

There is a demographic diversity at St. John's, but especially this last semester, there was a very big problem with racial and religious tension. Some stuff happened on campus, and then some of the faculty and administration responded to it in a negagative way & made it worse. It was different when I first went there. I never noticed any tension - I guess I am just upset that it changed

Also, I wanted to mention that if you want to start a student organization, it has to fit within the 'Vincentian Mission.' One of my friends wanted to start a campus chapter of GLAAD, and they would not allow it b/c the church does not recognize homosexuality as a lifestyle.

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Wow i guess a lot has changed since i have been there...Sad i did not know this

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Posted by eogara

Not sure if you guys have seen it but I always remember a line from the movie The American President with Michael Douglas whenever topics like this come up.

'You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who is standing center stage advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.'

What do you guys think?

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I agree with that quote. You can't debate or argue something if you silence the opposition. I'd rather know what KKK freaks are thinking than to have them be even more clandestine than they already are.

ETA: I am NOT saying that I support what they are saying in any way, shape, or form. I would be there screaming against them, I just mean I would also defend their right to speech, insane as they are.