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| Malcomb Haming ('21) |
I went to a conservative, Catholic, primarily white, all boys high school. While in College I found meeting people who were different from me to be illuminating. However, it was no where near as enlightening as talking to people with different ideas and values than my own. Diversity is an important pillar of all Universities, but without including a broad diversity of ideas that pillar is a hollow one. Racist, misogynistic, or bigoted speech is obviously immoral, but there was a time where those ignorant ideas where popular. There was a time when civil rights for women and minorities were unpopular. The point being, just because a majority of people believe something doesn’t make it right. Freedom of expression allowed a brave minority of people to slowly change the American conscience for the better. Without it nothing would have changed. For that same reason, we must embrace freedom of expression today.
This past month I had the great fortune to speak with President Bendapudi for the first time. The discussion was brief but impactful. On the subject of political events on campus and controversial topics and speakers she told me she wants to, “...prepare students for ideas, not protect them from them.” This simple, yet powerful, statement made clear to me that under her leadership our university will allow students to express their first amendment privileges without threats of censorship. For that, we will all be better off.
Malcomb Haming, of Louisville, Ky., is a member of the McConnell Scholar Class of 2021. He studies political science and history at the University of Louisville.