Editorial: A policy by any other name?
By JJ Ossola
IV Leader Editor, April 12, 2007
I remember my youth so well. The days when the mere
mention of a subject evoked deep seated, foundless opinions or fears.
Back in the day, I got riled up about pollution. The ozone
hole was widening, new ones were springing up and experts were starting to
really get going on the greenhouse gasses.
I read up on the subject but never joined an activist group.
I did my part in the fight, but I did not try to influence others.
It seems that with the creation of “Free Speech Zones” the
name is drawing more ire than the actual policy. I would bet that if it were
called the “Call before you show up, so that we know what you are protesting
Zone” people would not raise an eyebrow.
Is it really that simple? From what I have heard, it is.
While I too agree that this is a community college that encourages expressions
of free speech (last year’s River Currents is a good example) and is willing to
allow the student groups nearly any form of free speech, I do not agree that it
should apply to outside groups.
If the groups have a reasonable platform and information that
is solid and maybe even debatable in an open forum, then yes, come on out.
Educate us. Let us steep in your ideas and form our own opinion.
If you want to stand around holding signs then, I’m not sure
that you should be here.
We are the customers of the college.
What if someone preached obesity stats at you while you
ordered fast food?
Bottom line, we have new rules that are fair to all parties
involved. The name just stinks.