Speaking freely will often lead to somebody taking offense. If you feel offended by what somebody says, it is important that you react like an adult and agree to disagree. Reacting with foul language and violence will always lead to a negative outcome. We definitely shouldn’t feel offended at a comedy show! That’s all a comedy show is… jokes. In comedian John Caparulo’s stand up “Caplet,” a lady in the front row thought it’d be smart to disrespectfully interrupt the show and resort to violence even though she paid to see him! In this case, her getting up and leaving respectfully would have been the right thing to do if she didn’t like the show or felt offended. Please be aware that this video does contain explicit language and that I do not own the right to this video content. This is just an example of how our right to free speech is constantly being violated in America and how NOT to react when you feel offended. Also, check out more of John Caparulo! Especially his full show entitled “Meet Cap.” It’s hilarious. He’s also frequently at the Ice House here in Pasadena. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLULdosvZ_8
Blog Post 1
Political correctness and free speech do not go hand-in-hand. Free speech is our first amendment right as Americans, yet, many institutions fundamentally advocate for political correctness. Such institutions are most of the universities across The States. In George W. Dent’s article A Strategy to Remedy Political Correctness, published in 2017, Dent discusses the problems that come along with political correctness as well as offers solutions to remedy our lack of political diversity in universities. Many of the staff and faculty employed at the universities are left-wing who are likely to teach left-wing academics. On the contrary, “many conservative and libertarian scholars are “underplaced”—i.e., teach in lesser academic institutions (or are not in academia) than their academic credentials warrant” (Dent 277). This lack of diversity in the political ideologies of staff creates parallel thought in the mind of their students. As an advocate for political diversity, I agree with much of the content provided in Dent’s article. One of the problems pointed out is that there is a lack of due process within university campus proceeding. For example, If someone is accused of sexual assault, a kangaroo court trial is led with no presumption of innocence, leadership has no legal training and the accused are denied the right to a counsel or an inquisition of witnesses (Dent 276). Political correctness can also stir fear in students on campus. Many universities have response teams or bias reporting teams that encourage students to report any speech that they deem offensive. If reported, the students spouting “offensive” speech may be summoned to a court proceeding. “The threat of an official proceeding, even if it would not result in punishment, is so daunting that members of college communities are fearful of saying anything student “bias reporters” might not like” (Dent 276). Political correctness is only the tip of the iceberg when discussing the violations of our free speech in the United States. Before the issue is remedied, we must be aware of it and discuss how to take action. What do you think about political correctness in our schools?
Dent, George. “A Strategy to Remedy Political Correctness.” Academic Questions, vol. 30, no. 3, Sept. 2017, pp. 272–280. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1007/s12129-017-9643-7.
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