Walter Williams Highlights FIRE’s War Against Speech Codes

Walter Williams Highlights FIRE’s War Against Speech Codes

by Luke Sheahan

October 17, 2007

The distinguished George Mason Professor of Economics Walter Williams mentions FIRE in his column today about Indoctrinate U, Evan Coyne Maloney’s new documentary on the political correctness permeating American universities and the speech codes it so often spawns. Williams writes:
Under the ruse of ending harassment, a number of universities have established speech codes. Bowdoin College has banned jokes and stories “experienced by others as harassing.” Brown University has banned “verbal behavior” that “produces feelings of impotence, anger or disenfranchisement” whether “unintentional or intentional.” University of Connecticut has outlawed “inappropriately directed laughter.” Colby College has banned any speech that could lead to a loss of self-esteem. “Suggestive looks” are banned at Bryn Mawr College and “unwelcomed flirtations” at Haverford College. Fortunately for students, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has waged a successful war against such speech codes.
Thank you, Dr. Williams. We are doing our best.