Michael wrote: > I agree with Kakki that many attempts to >deal with very real racism and sexism on >college campuses has taken the form of >clumsy speech codes that are not only >repressive, but forbear the possibility of >honest discussion about race, etc., which is to >my mind a CRUCIAL step in dealing with >undemocratic attitudes.
Yes, and the speech codes themselves undemocratic and they assume that every student is ignorant and must be told what is appropriate speech individuals. >And yes, many espousing such speech codes >look to '60s campus activism for inspiration, >and some believe in socialist or even Marxist >ideals. The whole thing is very alarming to me. > What I disagree about is the extent and >directness of this influence. I think the extent of influence has been very wide. I also see it as going beyond "speech codes." Those who imposed these codes seem to actively be not only defining and controlling speech but also minds and personal ideologies. No one has commented on the students on a number of campuses being banned from flying American flags, putting up signs that say "Proud to be an American," and having pro-American rallies. This is more my point than anything - the either subtle or overt control of students personal beliefs, etc. How do those actions relate to speech codes, racism and date rate? If they do, I've missed the connection. And I already doubt anyone will address this issue because even here on the JMDL, it is perceived as politcally not popular by some to be pro-American or not anti-war so certain speech once again will be inherently stifled. > Based on my very recent experience of a >rarefied part of the American educational >system, my take is that Marxist thought is very >much alive and well on campuses, but it >certainly is not "dominant." Subtle > influence seems closer to the truth, but lots of > ideologies exert their subtle influence in our > academic halls, from fundamentalist >Christianity to secular humanism to >multiculturalism to, as we now > know, libertarianism. I don't know that fundamentalist Christianity could be so openly incorporated into so many aspects of campus studies and life as Marxist ideologies. Marxism and secular humanism are acceptable because they are not seen as religions but it seems that any type of advancing of religious ideals or beliefs would be immediately stopped because of the vigilance towards keeping the separation of church and state in our institutions. > And well they should. The > academy *should* be a marketplace of >ideas. Yes. Kakki
