In Defense of Distasteful Faculty Speech (opinion)

"The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a tragedy that struck at the heart of American democracy. As the faculty adviser for Turning Point USA at Georgia College & State University, I took on that role despite significant ideological disagreements with the organization Kirk founded because I believe so fervently in the value of political discourse-even when that discourse makes us uncomfortable."

"The wave of faculty terminations sweeping across American institutions in response to Kirk's death represents a dangerous moment for academic freedom and constitutional principles. Educators across the nation have been fired or suspended for social media posts that ranged from celebrating Kirk's death to making pointed observations about the irony of his rhetoric regarding gun violence being an acceptable price to pay to maintain the Second Amendment."

"I'm not defending the wisdom or sensitivity of the statements made about Kirk by those being fired. In point of fact, I believe that most if not all were ill-timed, crude, callous and deeply hurtful to those mourning Kirk's death. But constitutional principles protect speech that offends, disturbs and challenges our sensibilities. For example, in 1987, the Supreme Court decided Rankin v. McPhers"

The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a tragedy that struck at the heart of American democracy. A faculty adviser for Turning Point USA at Georgia College & State University accepted the role despite significant ideological disagreements because of a commitment to robust political discourse. University campuses should host competing ideas where students encounter diverse voices and the marketplace of ideas remains open. A wave of faculty terminations has followed the killing, with educators fired or suspended for social-media posts ranging from celebratory messages to ironic critiques of Kirk's rhetoric on gun violence. Although many statements were ill-timed and hurtful, constitutional principles protect speech that offends, disturbs and challenges sensibilities.

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