I decided to read Protecting Freedom of Expression at Harvard (Lunsford et al) and it was very biased in my option. It presented information heavily on how he felt about the situation. Bok did explain how the meaning “Free Speech” is confused because some lines were crossed but people say it is just freedom to speech. Bok believes that everyone should be able to voice whatever he or she believe in, but to put flag out there to show everyone is crossing the line. It is tough situation because if the university decided not to allow that, then the students would feel that their right to voice their option is prevented.
There was one situation that happened in 2005 with one public figure- Prince Harry. Prince Harry is the son of the late Princess Diana, so he is a huge public figure and he shocked the world with what he did. Prince Harry went to one party wearing Nazi armband. People all over the world were outraged, because here he is- one of the greatest public figure of all times wearing a Nazi armband. His mother was a huge public figure, and she helped so many people all over the world so people did not expect that coming from him. It was tough to judge because he is allowed to wear and voice whatever he wants to, but is something like that considered “Free Speech” ? He should be allowed to wear the armband, but where is his respect? I think we all are allowed to voice our beliefs and options but there are a line that we should not cross.
It is really hard to judge situations like this, and I thought that Bok presented his options and facts very well. I felt like I believed and agreed with what he said. What happened in Harvard is something that happens everywhere in this world, and basically we cannot find any solutions to those situations because it is really hard to measure if it is right or wrong.
Bok said, “For several years, universities have been struggling with the problem of trying to reconcile the rights of free speech with the desire to avoid racial tension.” That’s what I’m trying to say. It is hard to abide by the First Amendment when there are situations like this where it is really tough. You cannot measure the situation and decide if it is not following the first Amendment or if it is all right.
I thought that Bok presented this situation and provided two sides to this argument and the same time, be biased. That’s when you know you are a great writer; when you type a paper presenting your side and your enemy’s side also.
Agree with you that free speech is very sticky situation. Like you said, we should be allowed to have our free speech, but there's a line. What should happen to them when the line was crossed? Very difficult. I learned something new about Prince Harry. Never knew that he wore that Nazi band. Why did he wear it?
ReplyDeleteFYI: Maybe it was just my laptop, but I was not able to see pictures on your blog.
I disagree with you. I think Bok did a great job of saying he disagreed with how the students voiced their opinions but being offended wasn't enough to prohibit them from doing so. He mentioned that prohibiting that would make it more enticing to break the rules and MORE offensive things would happen as a result. Bok realizes that freedom of speech is a slippery slope. If he was being biased, he would state that he was offended and that was reason enough to ban students from hanging flags like that. But he didn't.
ReplyDeleteenjoyable blog. couldn't see the pictures as well.
ReplyDeletebut i'm curious, where do you stand in all this? :]
i didn't think it was biased. i thought he presented his argument well and had good ideas for solutions that could keep peace among everyone.
ReplyDeleteBok really knows how not to cross any lines, and I find it is really a difficult situation where people have a right of free speech but they overuse their privilege.
ReplyDeleteReally good analysis!
Jane Doe, you are not only one. I am unable to see the picture on my laptop.
ReplyDeleteTo be able to do freedom of speech without crossing the line will mostly based on judgement. I think that's where everyone's weakness about that when they want to speak up something but they crossed the line. I see those mistakes all the time.
well-written by you
I guess I am not the only one who can't see the pictures on your blog. I have to agree with Evey Oliver. I don't think the piece was biased. Although Bok demonstrated a strong argument, supported with his views- it was really interesting to see how you disagreed with Yossearin- even though you read the same passage, you both share different views on the piece itself so that tells me that it only matters by the way you interpret your message to others and how they choose to look at it. All in all, this was a great blog and I really enjoyed reading it!
ReplyDeleteI guess if he wants to wear that armband then he should. Nothings stopping him. Let people talk. Freedom of Speech you know.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very hard to write an "unbiased" paper. Everyone is biased and no matter how hard you try to write a bias-less piece, you will always lean to one side more than the other.
ReplyDeleteEvery opinion automatically becomes the bias. Even though if an author is being neutral about the piece he/she wrote, the way of an author saying neutrally is still considered biased. So we all can't avoid the biased-ness
ReplyDelete