UC Berkeley’s “Free Speech Year” was designed by liberals and conservatives to help bring back decorum to political debate. We’ve gone too long with shouting matches on tv and radio as the norm. (personally I blame the late William F Buckley’s “The Firing Line” for introducing the overheated debate we’ve come accustomed too today and I like Buckley!). It’s too easy for people to argue in vulgarities and slur only to cry victim when it’s returned. Time to shout up, show respect and listen – PB/TK
UC Berkeley chancellor unveils ‘Free Speech Year’ as right-wing speakers plan campus events – By Teresa Watanabe / Aug 15 2017
Carol T. Christ, UC Berkeley’s 11th chancellor and the first woman to lead the nation’s top public research university, unveiled plans Tuesday for a “Free Speech Year” as right-wing speakers prepare to come to campus.
Christ said the campus would hold “point-counterpoint” panels to demonstrate how to exchange opposing views in a respectful manner. Other events will explore constitutional questions, the history of Berkeley’s free speech movement and how that movement inspired acclaimed chef Alice Waters to create her Chez Panisse restaurant.
“Now what public speech is about is shouting, screaming your point of view in a public space rather than really thoughtfully engaging someone with a different point of view,” Christ said in an interview. “We have to build a deeper and richer shared public understanding.”
The free speech initiative comes after a rocky year of clashing opinions on campus. In February, violent protests shut down an appearance by right-wing firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos, prompting President Trump to question the campus’ federal funding. A few months later, conservative commentator Ann Coulter canceled a planned appearance after the campus groups hosting her pulled out.
Yiannopoulos has announced plans to return next month to spend days in a “tent city” in Berkeley’s iconic Sproul Plaza.
Conservative author and columnist Ben Shapiro is scheduled to visit Sept. 14.
The free speech issue drew the biggest spotlight in the new chancellor’s daylong media interviews and welcoming remarks to 9,500 new students. Christ, dressed in blue ceremonial robes, told the new arrivals that Berkeley’s free speech movement was launched by liberals and conservatives working together to win the right to advocate political views on campus.
Continue to latimes.com article: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-uc-berkeley-chancellor-20170815-story.html
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