Ann Coulter, controversial conservative political and social commentator, canceled her talk at University of California, Berkeley, as a result of student protesters.
She said it was a “sad day for free speech.” Coulter should have been allowed to talk because she was merely expressing her opinions — even if I hate them. However, I understand why people would have a problem with her.
My problem with her lies in her obsession of calling it an attack on free speech. Free speech is a right granted to us by the First Amendment to protect us from oppressive government censorship.
It does not mean that we can say whatever we want without consequences from society. Many pundits, conservative and liberal, seem to forget that the freedom of speech doesn’t mean everyone must listen.
People are going to voice unpopular opinions. Honestly, the First Amendment is one of my favorites.
I love that if I criticize my government, it can’t just put me in jail. That right should be protected because we are in a democratic society. Free speech is a necessity in a free society.
However, just because the government can’t punish us for saying things doesn’t mean that society can let you get away with everything.
When people spout hate speech on Twitter and then wonder why they get fired, it is not a violation of free speech. When a law fellow tweets about sexual assault in a disparaging manner, he should resign.
I see free speech balls and celebrating the right to say whatever we want and that’s important. We should be able to express opinions, and honestly, there is nothing legally stopping us from engaging in political discourse.
There is a lot we can say and do. Many late-night comics make a living from criticizing the president. The amount that we can freely criticize people, companies and our government is huge.
That’s why I don’t think it’s a big deal that saying a derogatory phrase on public social media can get you fired, why people can boycott companies if they do not agree with their choices or why people are mad that Ann Coulter, who previously said things against liberals, immigrants and Muslims.
Ann Coulter can say whatever she wants. She has a public platform that millions of people follow and has been on the best-sellers list for the New York Times.
Her voice is not being squashed by cancelling a meeting. This is a consequence of her actions, and her ideas aren’t being censored at all.
npatwari@umail.iu.edu
