Spring Break
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Right to free speech extends to all speech
Announcements | 5/1/07
Posted online at 12:17 AM EST on 5/22/07
To the Editor:
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is remarkable in its unprecedented guarantee of free speech and expression. This right extends to all forms of speech, even hateful ones. This is why the Ku Klux Klan, however offensive and virulent their speech may be, are allowed to rally and gather. This is a good thing! The ability of the press and individuals to publish and voice ideas without fear of prosecution is perhaps the greatest individual right ever extended to mankind.
The recent events surrounding the publication of various articles in the spring issue of Gravity Magazine are inextricably linked to the recent on-air comments of Don Imus ("A racially charged display incenses, offends students," May 1 issue). While the "BlackJerry" ad and other articles may have been found offensive by many for a variety of reasons, it is important to remember that speech, however offensive or ignorant, is individual expression, and should not be chilled by the wrath of groups of people, even the majority. To paraphrase the famous saying, I do not agree with what Gravity printed, but I will defend to the death their right to print it.
-Ben Gellman-Chomsky '08
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is remarkable in its unprecedented guarantee of free speech and expression. This right extends to all forms of speech, even hateful ones. This is why the Ku Klux Klan, however offensive and virulent their speech may be, are allowed to rally and gather. This is a good thing! The ability of the press and individuals to publish and voice ideas without fear of prosecution is perhaps the greatest individual right ever extended to mankind.
The recent events surrounding the publication of various articles in the spring issue of Gravity Magazine are inextricably linked to the recent on-air comments of Don Imus ("A racially charged display incenses, offends students," May 1 issue). While the "BlackJerry" ad and other articles may have been found offensive by many for a variety of reasons, it is important to remember that speech, however offensive or ignorant, is individual expression, and should not be chilled by the wrath of groups of people, even the majority. To paraphrase the famous saying, I do not agree with what Gravity printed, but I will defend to the death their right to print it.
-Ben Gellman-Chomsky '08
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