i think i'm firmly on the side of the Brown University protesters who stole the campus paper. if they can silence all opposition, maybe the Federal government will agree to pay reparations for slavery. then, maybe i'll be able to claim some of that money, since Native Americans were enslaved also.

greed aside, whether i agree with them on the issue of reparations is irrelevant. i have a problem with people who feel justified in silencing someone because they disagree with the person's viewpoint, or in the name of "sensitivity" or "tastefulness." i think it much more distasteful to censor opposing viewpoints and deny or handicap another's ability to think for themself and form their own opinion. i used to think of university as a place where people fought for free press and the expression of unpopular ideas, but i read article after article that make it seem that the students now only fight for the expression of like-minded ideas.

sensitivity and tastefulness have their place, but i don't think they belong in a reputable newspaper. newspapers (and other newsmedia) are supposed to be there for the dissemination of factual information, not to make sure that everyone feels good about what they read. if you don't like the information (or the advertisement, as in the case above), don't throw your outrage against the newpaper. go after the motherfucker who offended you. write a rebuttal and have it published or debate him. don't shout him down or silence him. i'm more likely to listen to a calm and rational discussion than to a mob of screaming protesters.

i'd like to reiterate again that this post has nothing to do with the issue of reparations for slavery outside of linking to an article. it's about what is supposed to be one of the most fundamental rights to a free and informed self-governing society. it's bad enough that there are people out there who are more than happy to spoon-feed opinions and political views to us. there's no need to us to swallow it unthinkingly, reguardless of whether it comes from a like-minded individual.