Colleges should uphold right to protest, lawlessness can’t be tolerated

Many of us believe in the right to free speech, but many of us also believe that freedom of speech does not mean the freedom to be lawless. Apparently, the young people who are protesting on college campuses don’t seem to understand that.

The debate surrounding free speech on college campuses has certainly intensified, with a particular focus on the line between expression and disruption.

While the right to free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, it cannot serve as a shield for actions that infringe upon the rights and opportunities of others, and I have always believed that.

The rise of disruptive protests, often led by privileged students with a sense of entitlement, threatens the very essence of academic institutions. It is crucial that we as citizens reaffirm that the right to free speech does not extend to the destruction of property or the disruption of the educational environment.

Spoiled wealthy students, accustomed to having their demands met without consequence, cannot be allowed to hold campuses hostage to their whims. Education is a fundamental right, and every student deserves an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

Disruptive protests, driven by a desire to make societal statements at the expense of others' education, undermine the core mission of colleges and universities. Institutions must reclaim their authority and responsibility to maintain order and prioritize the educational experience of all students.

Allowing protests to escalate unchecked only emboldens disruptive behavior and erodes the integrity of academic institutions. While it's important to uphold freedom of expression, recent college protests have raised concerns about the boundaries of acceptable activism.

Certainly, students have every right to voice their grievances, challenge the status quo, and demand change. I did that when I was in college and not even very long ago. Peaceful demonstrations are one of the hallmarks of a democratic society.

The truth is that there's a fine line between peaceful protest and disruptive behavior that infringes upon the rights of others. The recent incidents of campus takeovers, destruction of facilities, and disruptions of graduations have drawn sharp criticism, and rightfully so.

It's a concerning trend that reflects a misguided approach to activism. While we all can understand that passion and fervor are admirable qualities in any movement, they must be tempered with reason and respect for the rights of others. Most people just want to get on with their lives and be left alone.

What began as a platform for voicing concerns over international conflicts, notably the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has morphed into a spectacle of disorder on college campuses across the nation. The occupation of campus buildings, the erection of tents, and the chanting of deeply troubling and antisemitic slogans have marred what should have been a forum for constructive dialogue and debate.

I really do understand that these young people are passionate, but many of them have no idea what they are protesting about, and that is a problem. For some, Gaza is merely a distant name on a map, disconnected from the harsh realities of life under siege. This lack of knowledge underscores the importance of education and being informed.

The tensions in the middle east between the Jewish people and Muslims is thousands of years old, and not something that will be solved any time soon. Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its sovereignty is not up for debate, but the indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations, regardless of the context, is wrong. It is a violation of human rights and international law. There really needs to be a ceasefire.

Unfortunately, these recent college protests have been marred by disturbing displays of anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence against Jewish students. Such behavior is simply wrong and goes against everything this country stands for.

Many Americans, including this one, believe that this country stands for tolerance and inclusiveness. I know that is idealistic thought on my part, but America has always been an ideal. Something that we hope for.

It is the bedrock foundation of the most profound movement in American history, and that was the Civil Rights Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King. The movement was nonviolent, and it changed the nation for the better. There is no denial of that fact.

Discrimination and violence targeting any group should have no place in America, and it should be condemned and denounced immediately. These are different times, and the need for expression does not justify the type of behavior being seen today on college campuses.

Parents, too, bear a responsibility in guiding their children's behavior on campus. I have four children who attended college, and although they were on their own for the most part, they were not controlling anything, and what we see going on right now, would have been addressed by parents like me---sooner rather than later.

While supporting their right to engage in meaningful protest, parents should intervene when those protests veer into destructive territory. It's incumbent upon them to teach their children the importance of protesting with integrity and respect for others' rights.

Universities have a duty to maintain order and ensure the safety of all students, staff, and faculty. Delayed responses to escalating situations only increased the tensions and in my opinion, led to more severe consequences.

Columbia University's handling of the recent protests serves as a cautionary tale. Waiting too long to intervene allowed the situation to spiral out of control, necessitating a heavier-handed approach with police and security forces.

Moving forward, colleges must strike a delicate balance between preserving the right to protest and safeguarding the educational environment. While the right to free speech is very important, it must be exercised responsibly, with consideration for the rights and well-being of others. And that’s my take. smithpren@aol.com

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Colleges should uphold right to protest, lawlessness can’t be tolerated