The Winthrop Board of Trustees created a resolution affirming free speech at Winthrop. The resolution states, “the Board is committed to free and open inquiry and expression for members of its campus community except as limitations on that freedom are appropriate to the functioning of the campus and permissible under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”
In short, the resolution says that all faculty and students on campus have a right to freedom of speech so long as their speech does not impede on the freedom or rights of others in a manner that could be considered threatening. However, different people have opposing viewpoints about what they deem as “free speech” and “hate speech.”
In order to help clear up the contradictions about what free speech actually means, the town hall held a virtual meeting on Oct. 27 entitled “Diversity Dialogues” where they discussed the differences between free speech and hate speech.
“Today, we are in a most challenging time where words matter. Words are probably the most dangerous weapon in the world. They can hurt, they can kill, they can incite riot, they can promote peace, they can make peace, they can create an environment for love. Most importantly they can create an opportunity for understanding,” said Interim President George Hynd.
In our current political landscape, discussions about the boundaries of free speech are more important than ever.
“During the summer, faculty, staff and students were greatly impacted by the social injustice and racial tension happening in this country. As a result the campus community expressed interest in having a safe space where we can have an open dialogue about ways in which we can bring about healing and understanding to our community,” said Chisa Putman, senior solicitor for the City of Rock Hill.
It is important that campuses such as Winthrop allow freedom of speech among students so that differing opinions can be heard and people can be free to speak their minds, but there comes a point where free speech becomes hate speech. According to Scott Huffmon, professor and director of the Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, hate speech is speech that is specifically targeted at a certain group or person to threaten or intimidate them. A person can say something offensive, and they still technically have the right to say it, so long as their speech is not negatively affecting anyone. However, that does not mean that a person will not experience consequences for saying or doing something offensive.
“When society makes it clear that your words and deeds do not represent what we accept for somebody who we want to participate with us in society then we send a message that the law cannot, because the law is limited by the constitution,” Huffmon said.
“It is really society that’s going to shut these people down, even though the law protects them.”
The resolution states, “members of the campus community are free to criticize and intellectually challenge those with opposing views, they may not obstruct or otherwise significantly interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe. When engaging in public commentary, all Winthrop employees must clearly state that their opinions are their own and not those of Winthrop University.”
It is imperative that all members of the campus community keep in mind that there is a difference between having a provocative, thoughtful discussion in which differing opinions are shared, and the spewing of hate speech that causes people to feel unsafe. The resolution was put in place to make sure that these ideals are upheld.
The resolution was approved on Aug. 25. Lastly it states, “the Board has a solemn responsibility not only to promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation, but also to protect that freedom when others attempt to restrict it.”
