Is Self-Censorship Taking Over Universities?
In this Future View, students from various U.S. universities discuss self-censorship. Here’s a selection of views:
“What’s more of a problem [than students] is the overt politics of university administrators and some professors. The adults in charge should be pushing their students to confront different ideas. Instead, many administrators attempt to comfort and shield students from exposure to differing points of view. This hinders a student’s critical thinking. Ironically, it also makes students less inclusive and empathetic. They grow certain that what they believe must be right, since this is what they’re being told by the adults in charge. Anyone who thinks differently must be crazy.”
“Collegiate education now is less about ideas than it is about identities. Offering an idea that counters the narrative of identity invites blowback designed to shame, not educate…Every freedom to be who one chooses can be traced back to the freedom to say what one thinks, the freedom of conscience. Without that there isn’t much real protection of identity at all.”
“I’ve faced a lot of criticism and backlash by peers and faculty for being a black student with center-right views…My professors often assume that because of my ethnicity I must hold left-wing views on racial issues…I often find myself staying silent and nodding along to avoid conflict with the people around me.”
“Almost every class I’ve taken has been tainted with liberal talking points from leftist professors who are not afraid to share their radical beliefs. When completing my assignments, I pretend to be a liberal in fear of receiving backlash and a bad grade…While censoring my views has often made me feel I’m not being true to myself, I unfortunately feel it is necessary.”