Freedom Of Speech In Public Universities

The freedom of speech, press, and religion have been pillars of the United States and other Democratic nations who knew they needed to have these rights guaranteed. The freedom of discussion was a tool against tyranny, it was known that those who can talk, gather, and discuss were given the power of expression and the power of change. Being able to say what you want, and need is a cornerstone of diversification that allows the ideals of democracy to continue into a new era. So why would Colleges and Universities, places known for the swapping of new ideals and being a center of distinct cultures want to restrict this right? Why would public universities ignore Supreme Court cases on speech? Why would they want to challenge the freedom of expression for students and minority groups? It’s said that “If speech is restricted, it silences those who may benefit largely from its expression” …show more content…
Though the number rose sharply in the late 20th and early 21st century, speech codes haven’t always existed. Perhaps the first example of a threat of speech in schools was in 1969 with the now famous court case Tinker v. Des Moines when 5 teenagers wore black armbands to protest the ongoing Vietnam War with the school suspending the students until they agreed to take them off. In a 7-2 decision, the teenagers won the case and set a precedent that school officials "must be able to show that [their] action was caused by something more than a mere desire to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint.” This is now known as the Tinker Test and is used in court cases today to determine when a school’s actions violate student’s First Amendment