Search

A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Search
Home
Coronavirus
Community
Sports
Campus
Lifestyle
Opinion
Blogs
Video
Photo
Audio
About Us
Classifieds
Advertise

Auburn's News Source

The Auburn Plainsman

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Print Edition

Send a News Tip
Donate
  • Coronavirus
  • Community
  • Campus
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • Photo
  • About Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Community
  • Campus
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • Photo
  • Audio
  • Blogs
  • About Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise

10/31/2019, 10:41am

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Auburn needs to remain a free speech campus

By Bruce Murray | Associate Professor
LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Auburn needs to remain a free speech campus

Spirit flies in front of the flag.

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

 

In January 2018, Auburn University earned the highest rating for free speech from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, becoming the first university in Alabama — and one of only 38 universities nationwide — with written policies affirming the rights of students and faculty under the First Amendment.

The First Amendment was specifically written to protect political speech, without which a self-governing people cannot make well-informed judgments. 

Auburn’s “green light” rating indicates that our policies protect student and faculty speech. Auburn has been justly celebrated as a safe campus for free speech.

Given Auburn’s explicit protection of free speech, I was surprised when Plainsman Editor Eduardo Medina appeared at my office without an appointment, asking me to answer accusations of “homophobia” and “hate speech” based on my political posts on Facebook and in the Opelika-Auburn News, and not in my teaching or interaction with students at Auburn University.

My posts on Facebook are addressed to a private community of like-minded conservatives concerned about the right to life and marriage. I view the family as the basic building block of society. Children are only conceived in the mating union of a man and woman.

Unlike other species, humans are born helpless; they require decades to learn the complex skills and attitudes needed to thrive in the complex human economy. A mating couple’s pledge of lifelong sexual fidelity is essential for the family stability needed to sustain children’s long-term care and education.


Sign up for our newsletter

Get The Plainsman straight to your inbox.


Until recently, these views were not even controversial. As recently as 2008, Barack Obama said, “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.” 

Public opinion shifted dramatically with the 5-4 Obergefell decision of the Supreme Court. 

However, our design as human persons, conceived in the mating union of one man and one woman, has not changed.

Given my advocacy of a political point of view, I recognize an obligation to practice tolerance toward those who disagree with me. 

I would never dream of organizing reprisals against those who hold contrary views, and I expect the tolerance I practice to be reciprocated. 

Our best hope of advancing public knowledge in a university depends on dispassionate advocacy supported by evidence, which allows investigation and dialogue.

On the more basic issue, my political arguments external to the University are outside of the purview of The Plainsman. 

The work of The Plainsman depends on the same First Amendment guarantees that protect my political free speech. 

Students, faculty and journalists all have good reason to be proud of AU’s “green light” protecting the rights of those with divergent views to express their views publicly without fear of reprisal.

Bruce Murray is an Associate Professor of Reading Education at Auburn University.

The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students, as well as faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University. 

The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors. 

These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

Share

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

Support The Plainsman

Bruce Murray | Associate Professor



Related Stories

Contributed by Taylor Duncan
Begining in 2016, Alternative Baseball has founded 70 teams across the country. 

Baseball creates opportunity for those with autism

By Emery Lay | Lifestyle Writer

Ben Madsen
Auburn soccer vs South Florida on Sunday, August 19, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. 
Photo: Wade Rackley /Auburn Athletics

Ben Madsen promoted to associate head coach

By Larry Robinson | Sports Writer

Tigers stand at attention during the national anthem in Auburn Baseball vs. Alabama A&M on Feb. 26, 2020 in Auburn, AL

SEC releases conference schedule for baseball

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor


The Auburn Plainsman welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic.


Editor's Picks


1/19/2021, 2:30pm

Baseball creates opportunity for those with autism

By Emery Lay | Lifestyle Writer

1/19/2021, 1:01pm

SEC releases conference schedule for baseball


1/15/2021, 4:52pm

Auburn University extends remote operations through Jan. 31


1/15/2021, 12:31pm

Auburn softball's SEC schedule released


Virtual Print Edition


Plainsman Podcasts

The Auburn Plainsman To Homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • Advertise
  • Letters

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2021 The Auburn Plainsman

Powered by Solutions by The State News.