Read the following dialogue carefully. If you note any of the errors in
thinking discussed in this chapter or in Chapters 9 and 10, identify them. Then
decide which view of the issue is more reasonable and explain why you think so,
taking care to avoid the errors discussed in this and previous chapters.
“CHAPTER 11 Errors of Expression 133”
Background note: In past decades college officials debated whether to censor student
newspapers that published stories containing four-letter words and explicit sexual references.
The debate continues, but the issue has changed. Some student papers are publishing articles
that ridicule African Americans, women, and homosexuals. And others are urging students
to paint graffiti on campus buildings and take up shop-lifting to combat conformity.5
Ernest: Such articles may be childish and tasteless, but that’s no reason to
censor them.
Georgina: Are you kidding? Minorities pay good money to go to college.
And on most campuses, I’m sure, their student activity fee pays for the
student newspaper. Where’s the fairness in charging them for articles that
insult them or that encourage lawbreaking, which ultimately costs them
as taxpayers?
Ernest: Why is everything a money issue with you? So a buck or so
from every student’s activity fee goes to the newspaper. Big deal. That
doesn’t give every student the right to play fascist and set editorial
policy. The articles are written in a spirit of fun or for shock value.
Censorship is not the answer. If a pesky fly buzzes around your head,
you don’t fire an elephant gun at it. Well, maybe you do, but no
sensible person does.
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