Speech Codes

Americans have become accustomed to the ability to say pretty much whatever they want about any given topic. Free speech is rarely given a second thought when a citizen chooses to bash the government, or disagree with a president, or protest a national issue. It has become more and more apparent throughout the years that Free Speech is something the American people have taken hold of. Many even say that the new generations have an obligation to be the voice of the nation, but how is that possible when speech is censored or punished? And if there are perameters on speech, how close to the border is too close?
We recently read about a fraternity on the Auburn university campus who demonstrated what seemed to be their right to free speech. They dressed as blacks, painted their faces black, and were doing a number of demonstrations that made people well aware of their dislike or seeming disgust for the opposing race. These actions once again raises the question, how far is too far? The students were demonstrating their right to free speech. They were portraying their views and opinions in a public setting, the same type of rights that are listed in the Constitution as a right given to citizens of the United States. So what's wrong with the picture? Free speech is a given right that should be used to educate, inform, challenge, and publicize ideas. However, when those who are demonstrating the free speech are acting in a way that is both juvenile and unnecessary, there needs to be a line drawn. There is a huge difference between a gathering of people that have collectively decided to speak about their dislike for blacks or their views on balcks and blatently offending another person for something they had no say in.
Free speech is a privelage, one that the country has worked hard to maintain and place in perameters as to ensure that the whole country is comfortable and safe when it comes to the disputes that may arise around the United States. Some people, like those involved in the fraternity scandal at Auburn, have now taken their free speech rights for granted. They intentionally and knowingly made classmates and people around the country uncomfortable and painfully aware of the prejudice that is still in the world. Free speech is accepted and even encouraged when the content, format, and discussion topics are intellegent and well delivered. An immature display of linching a boy who was wearing black face is the furthest thing from intellegent I have ever seen. Free speech is an amazing privelage and tool when used correctly.
With all of this said, however, I do not feel as though students shoudl surrender their First Amendment right the second they step on a university campus. School, in particular, should be a forum for discussions and arguements that further educate students on the multiple interpretation of any given issue. There should be a wide acceptance of opinions and viewpoints to further the education of generations that are slowly going to become the forefront of our nation. There should be this freedom, but with the ability of the school to stop any type of speech that goes beyond comfortable and respectful and takes a turn for violent and innapropriate. Speech codes in some sense are effective ways to ensure the safety and comfort of students at school, while still maintaining the ability for student voices to be heard.