Importance of Dissent Law and Ethics

Inventory ... How many of you have ever disagreed with someone but didn’t say anything for fear of reprisal? Why did you fear this? Was it because you felt your speech would be perceived as insensitive or offensive? Another reason?

How does this fit in with the inventory? “To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker." Frederick Douglass, 1860 Student responses will differ.

So how is a quote that is more than 200 years old relevant today? It has everything to do with today’s society. In fact, according to the Knight Foundation, “There is a real perception that campuses are not fully open environments. A slight majority of students, 54%, say the climate on their campus prevents some people from saying what they believe because others might find it offensive.”

But speech can be dangerous ... Yes … but only if it’s causing a riot or is illegal in nature. For example, should students be able to protest on a college campus? Teachers, you could show this link for the discussion on whether student protest should be covered. It shows CNN’s timeline of protests at the University of Missouri.

More on speech Some argue we should stifle speech that is offensive. What are the disadvantages of stifling free speech? In March 2016, Robert George, Princeton University Professor of Jurisprudence, testified on how preventing free expression on campus will affect our society. Teachers, show the video on the effects of preventing the free expression on campus.

Marketplace theory English philosopher John Stuart Mill’s Free Exchange of Ideas addresses the importance of others expressing their viewpoint. How does this fit with what we’ve talked about already? By stifling speech, the free exchange of ideas cannot happen.

But what about offensive speech? Offensive to whom? What does it mean to be offensive? Take the Planned Parenthood debate … or any hot topic. What if you were in the minority in your viewpoint? Should you be silenced? Are there benefits to having a discussion about views instead of shutting them down? Teacher should ask students to talk through this calmly.

Other instances? What about Black Lives Matter/All Lives Matter? According to Philly.com, Michael Moroz wrote a opinion piece criticizing protestors at the University of Missouri. Moroz left Central High School after fearing for his safety. See more here.

Why is this dissent important? “Feel free to disagree with somebody, but don’t try to shut them up,” Obama told NPR on Dec. 21, 2015. “If somebody doesn’t agree with affirmative action, you may disagree with them — I disagree with them — but have an argument with them. It’s possible for somebody not to be racist and want a just society but believe that that is something that is inconsistent with the Constitution.” From Washington Post article “Obama to Campus Protestors: Don’t ‘shut up’ opposing viewpoints”

But how does this matter to high school students? Does it matter to high school students? Do you see this in student journalism? Why should students cover topics that are sensitive in nature? Refer back to the John Stuart Mill concept on the Free Exchange of Ideas. WIthout dissent, growth may be difficult — especially since high school is a formative time. By discussing issues, we can better form both ideas and responses to questions about those ideas. The next slide is the Douglass quote again.

Assessment: Please write a two-to-five sentence response to the following based on today’s discussion: “To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker." Frederick Douglass, 1860. This assessment will show whether the students understand the need for voicing dissenting views.