Free Speech Brings Harmony essays

Free Speech Brings Harmony essays On May 31, 1999, two students at Franciscan University in Ohio were kidnapped from their campus where they were beaten, robbed, and shot because of racial differences between them and their murderers. In recent years, there seems to have been rises in hate crimes against people who are not Caucasian Christian heterosexuals on college campuses. If someone does not fit this description, an unhealthy learning environment is created for that student. Hate crimes can be reduced if people become more tolerant of others. College campuses can lead the way of stopping hate crimes by becoming beacons of tolerance and understanding, by teaching that tolerance begins by understanding and not fearing the differences between people. Hate crimes happen every day. Some are broadcast on television, and some are left unspoken. Hate crimes are criminal actions intended to harm or intimidate people because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other minority group status. They are also referred to as bias crimes. For instance, in October of 1998, a hate crime in Wyoming against a college student, Matthew Sheppard, shocked the nation. A University of Wyoming student was beaten, tied to a fence, and left for dead because the murderers allegedly believed he was a homosexual and making sexual advances towards them. He died five days later. Since this attack three years ago, despite the publicity, there are still students offending, attacking, and even killing fellow students that are different by means of sexual preference, race, or origin. University officials are searching for an answer that is almost impossible to find, due to the vast differences and needs between the students. Many people feel that universities should put a limit to students freedom of speech while on campus. The right of free speech is indivisible. Restricting the speech of one group or individual jeopardizes everyones r...