I've often been asked how I dare side with the establishment today after all the protests, sit-ins and school shut-downs that I cheered on in the 60's (and yes, Nat, that was at dear ole U of M.) I've been accused of bias because I am Jewish. It's taken a whole lot of self examination and sorting to get to this realization. There is, to me, a distinct difference in standing up FOR the equality, rights and freedom of people oppressed by the government of the country in which I'm protesting, and in protesting to deny the rights of a group of students to exist safely in their space when my issue is with another country. So what about Nam? Protesting MY government's decision to enter a war that had nothing to do with us in support of the "Military-Industrial Complex that had chosen to build and operate over there made sense. Acting like it was the fault of our armed forces kids who had been drafted into that war and treating them as if THEY had committed the crime was much akin to what's going on on campuses today.
Free speech would allow students FROM THAT CAMPUS to gather in peaceful protest no matter how I might feel about the words and images coming from that group. It might even allow them to peacefully block access to a building where administrators were actively participating in what they deem a travesty, or to block the labs where the weapons research was being conducted. The key is peacefully, no matter what their issue. Outside agitators and terrorist activities, which include bullying, are not part of the rights conferred by the First Amendment.
I've often been asked how I dare side with the establishment today after all the protests, sit-ins and school shut-downs that I cheered on in the 60's (and yes, Nat, that was at dear ole U of M.) I've been accused of bias because I am Jewish. It's taken a whole lot of self examination and sorting to get to this realization. There is, to me, a distinct difference in standing up FOR the equality, rights and freedom of people oppressed by the government of the country in which I'm protesting, and in protesting to deny the rights of a group of students to exist safely in their space when my issue is with another country. So what about Nam? Protesting MY government's decision to enter a war that had nothing to do with us in support of the "Military-Industrial Complex that had chosen to build and operate over there made sense. Acting like it was the fault of our armed forces kids who had been drafted into that war and treating them as if THEY had committed the crime was much akin to what's going on on campuses today.
Free speech would allow students FROM THAT CAMPUS to gather in peaceful protest no matter how I might feel about the words and images coming from that group. It might even allow them to peacefully block access to a building where administrators were actively participating in what they deem a travesty, or to block the labs where the weapons research was being conducted. The key is peacefully, no matter what their issue. Outside agitators and terrorist activities, which include bullying, are not part of the rights conferred by the First Amendment.
Thanks for your comment.