Dear Internet, Bruce Shepard, the President of Western Washington University says that classes have...
Dear Internet,
Bruce Shepard, the President of Western Washington University says that classes have been suspended because "we observed social media being used for hate speech targeted at Western students of color."
"Hate speech" is not a crime. Period. Criminal speech -- such as threats -- can take the form of hate speech, but no matter how vile, hate speech is constitutionally protected. WWU, being a public university, has no authority to take any action against individuals for engaging in hate speech.
I suspect that this was actually threatening speech that constituted an imminent danger, and not merely "hate speech." It's a shame that a university President doesn't know the difference.
Bruce Shepard, the President of Western Washington University says that classes have been suspended because "we observed social media being used for hate speech targeted at Western students of color."
"Hate speech" is not a crime. Period. Criminal speech -- such as threats -- can take the form of hate speech, but no matter how vile, hate speech is constitutionally protected. WWU, being a public university, has no authority to take any action against individuals for engaging in hate speech.
I suspect that this was actually threatening speech that constituted an imminent danger, and not merely "hate speech." It's a shame that a university President doesn't know the difference.
"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt."
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