UMass Amherst student is asked to remove vulgar sign, prompting free speech questions

[SummerMadness]

UMass Amherst student is asked to remove vulgar sign, prompting free speech questions

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is grappling with issues of free speech, profanity, and countering hate after a student was asked to remove a sign from her dorm window that used derogatory language to tell Nazis they aren’t welcome on campus.

UMass Amherst spokesman Ed Blaguszewski acknowledged that an email from a residence director to the student, Nichole Parsons, was “poorly worded” and said Parsons had the right to keep the sign up.

Parsons, a junior studying nutrition, posted the sign using a vulgarity along with “Nazis You Are Not Welcome Here” on December 14. She said it was a response to a swastika that was drawn on a “Happy Hanukkah” sign a Jewish resident assistant had hung near her dorm.

 

[iluvatar5150]

I don't see the problem with this. I also don't have much patience for folks who think those sorts of signs are clever or effective.

 

[Dave-W]

That article was way too brief.

I don't see the problem with this. I also don't have much patience for folks who think those sorts of signs are clever or effective.

Which sign - “Happy Hanukkah,” the swastica, or the one telling the nazis where to drop off?

 

[iluvatar5150]

That article was way too brief.

Which sign - “Happy Hanukkah,” the swastica, or the one telling the nazis where to drop off?

I don't have a problem with them asking the person to take down the anti-nazi sign due to its vulgarity.

 

[SummerMadness]

I don't have a problem with them asking the person to take down the anti-nazi sign due to its vulgarity.

While I think the vulgarity motivated the request to the student, the letter to the student did not allude to that. It's a funny form letter that is quite off for the situation.

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

UMass Amherst student is asked to remove vulgar sign, prompting free speech questions

How is this remotely an issue? It isn't the message. It is the profanity. Can't anyone speak anymore without profanity and make a point? So lowbrow.

Case in point: Rashida Tlaib on Trump: 'We're gonna impeach the motherf****r' - CNNPolitics

Come on. Grow the heck up.

 

[SummerMadness]

How is this remotely an issue? It isn't the message. It is the profanity. Can't anyone speak anymore without profanity and make a point? So lowbrow.

Case in point: Rashida Tlaib on Trump: 'We're gonna impeach the motherf****r' - CNNPolitics

Come on. Grow the heck up.

As stated earlier, the letter the student did not discuss the profanity. Nonetheless, profanity isn't an issue for me, but people calling it lowbrow and calling for people to grow up need to look to the top if they wish to understand why discourse has descended to this level: Donald Trump Keeps Cursing. Here's Why It Might Help Him

I see nothing wrong with cursing, but I see a big issue with the hypocrisy of the people who cheer it in one venue and crumble like paper in another scenario.

 

[Ana the Ist]

UMass Amherst student is asked to remove vulgar sign, prompting free speech questions

Ehhhh...if she were wearing a shirt that said that, or perhaps holding a sign while walking to classes, I'd say she can definitely expect that her freedom of speech should be protected.

However, her dorm is basically a living space she's renting....someone else's property....so they can require she remove it.

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

As stated earlier, the letter the student did not discuss the profanity. Nonetheless, profanity isn't an issue for me, but people calling it lowbrow and calling for people to grow up need to look to the top if they wish to understand why discourse has descended to this level: Donald Trump Keeps Cursing. Here's Why It Might Help Him

I see nothing wrong with cursing, but I see a big issue with the hypocrisy of the people who cheer it in one venue and crumble like paper in another scenario.

Well, you are not addressing me then. I don't cheer it in ANY venue. Any adult should be able to control his or her tongue (speech, writing, etc).

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

As stated earlier, the letter the student did not discuss the profanity. Nonetheless, profanity isn't an issue for me, but people calling it lowbrow and calling for people to grow up need to look to the top if they wish to understand why discourse has descended to this level: Donald Trump Keeps Cursing. Here's Why It Might Help Him

I see nothing wrong with cursing, but I see a big issue with the hypocrisy of the people who cheer it in one venue and crumble like paper in another scenario.

The article discussed the profanity:

"The UMass administration also responded to the controversy, but with a mixed message.

In an e-mail to the Globe, Blaguszewski, the spokesperson for UMass Amherst, called the note Parsons received from the residence director “poorly worded.”

“UMass Amherst emphatically rejects Nazis, and any other hate group, a view expressed in the students’ sign,” Blaguszewski. “However, we are sensitive to the use of profanity, which some may find inappropriate. The university respects the students’ right to display the sign and it may remain up.”

 

[SummerMadness]

The article discussed the profanity:

"The UMass administration also responded to the controversy, but with a mixed message.

In an e-mail to the Globe, Blaguszewski, the spokesperson for UMass Amherst, called the note Parsons received from the residence director “poorly worded.”

“UMass Amherst emphatically rejects Nazis, and any other hate group, a view expressed in the students’ sign,” Blaguszewski. “However, we are sensitive to the use of profanity, which some may find inappropriate. The university respects the students’ right to display the sign and it may remain up.”

Nothing you highlighted is new to anyone in this thread...

 

[rambot]

Well, you are not addressing me then. I don't cheer it in ANY venue. Any adult should be able to control his or her tongue (speech, writing, etc).

But certainly not the POTUS.....right?

 

[tulc]

How is this remotely an issue? It isn't the message. It is the profanity. Can't anyone speak anymore without profanity and make a point? So lowbrow.

Case in point: Rashida Tlaib on Trump: 'We're gonna impeach the motherf****r' - CNNPolitics

Come on. Grow the heck up.

I'm curious if you would apply the same standard to President Trump? Because he's also been known to say things like that, and unlike Rep Tlaib, who said that in a private party, he said it in a public rally.
tulc(is just wondering)

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

I'm curious if you would apply the same standard to President Trump? Because he's also been known to say things like that, and unlike Rep Tlaib, who said that in a private party, he said it in a public rally.
tulc(is just wondering)

Yes. Both have said atrocious things publicly. She knew everyone was recording her and it was not private. We are talking about her right now, and it was appalling.

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

Nothing you highlighted is new to anyone in this thread...

Well, it seems to be perplexing to some posters as to why this was an issue. That's why.

 

[dgiharris]

One of the things I get annoyed with is the complete lack of creativity in these sorts of things in exercising free speech. I mean, come on, the authorities at the school can't let a profanity laced sign like that stay up, even if they 100% agree with the sentiment, they can't let it stay up.

however, what the authorities can do is let a very carefully and creatively worded or pictured sign featuring a double entendre stay up. Something that gives them some plausible deniability...

I am a big proponent of free speech, but we need to recognize the instances and areas in which we have free speech and when/where we don't or shouldn't.

...However, her dorm is basically a living space she's renting....someone else's property....so they can require she remove it.

This is kinda in the right vein of the point I was going to make. The school has rules, standards, and regulations that all students agree to adhere to. If said student doesn't want to adhere to these rules then they can go to another school. Schools have dress codes, some have curfews and rules for when the opposite sex is allowed/not allowed in the all male/female dorms etc etc.

I'm pretty sure hanging a profanity laced sign outside of your window is covered by one of those rules...

 

[HannahT]

UMass Amherst student is asked to remove vulgar sign, prompting free speech questions

What 'free speech' was null and void though? The idiots that drew the swastika got their speech out, and so did the student. Can't believe either were able to stay up. You don't remove a 'go away nazi' sign in a window, and leave up the other one.

Free speech isn't always speech we like. It may rot, but it is the way it is also.