Campus Speech Codes

Most of the schools I'm looking at are not in the database because I guess they don't cover art schools. They did have San Jose State University which is one of the, I guess, "normal" colleges I want to go to. They have a yellow light which is okay by me I guess. Personally I think that everyone needs to be able to say what they want unless they're really trying to insult and hurt someone. It's easier to say "oh everyone needs to just stop being such a baby about getting insulted it happens" than to think it because I and a lot of people I know are in minorities that are mocked and ridiculed in modern society without being allowed to have much of a voice. So I guess it's good for schools to allow everyone to say their ideas because then everyone gets to have their own opinions and for other people to get more exposure to different opinions about topics they're concerned with. The one rule that's the weirdest to me is about sending hateful material using the school's system. How are they checking? Is there some sad person who has to read every email received or sent using the school's system? Or is it done where one student sends another an insulting email and the other takes it to the dean and demands something be done to them?

FIRE seems very about letting the first amendment ruling universities and letting everyone say what they want regardless of content. But it almost seems like they want to provoke an environment where students are cruel to each other just because they can be? They never say "you should insult people because you can!" or "go offend EVERYONE!" But they seem to be prone to allowing students to openly insult each other because the first amendment covers their right to do so. Again I'm feeling internally conflicted because yeah you should have total free speech but you shouldn't be offending people. Unless it's something like one kid says "I hate dogs a lot" and then half the class gets mad because they love dogs! They love dogs so much how dare someone insult dogs they are all offended! Because that's not on purpose that's just some kid who for their own reasons hates dogs. However if a student says "gay people are bad and gross" it's pretty offensive and I'm guessing that they're quite aware of the fact they are offending many people, however it opens everyone up to a stage where they can converse their ideas about this topic in a way that could end up benefiting everyone involved. Which is a huge dilemma because where does it cross the line from uneducated offensive language to educated offensive language with intent to offend/stir something up to out right harassment?

not much to write about

I've decided to write about the shooting in Nairobi over the weekend. This was something that was very interesting to me because I heard about it while I was driving to take care of my friend's dogs yesterday, and I decided to listen to NPR for a while because sometimes it's really interesting? Anyways, they were saying, "20 confirmed dead in mall shooting" and already I was like 'wow wow wOW" but then i heard it wasn't in the US. Still, it was really shocking because we're not allowed to have safe places in any country anymore. I don't know it's just so weird to know that I could go to the mall and get shot or go to school and get shot. Especially with the fact that a navy base got shot up too, because that is wack. It brings in that whole "why am i here" thought, are we all here to just kill each other? what else is there to life? what can we do to find this magical meaning in life? I don't know man I wish i did.

Syrian Conflict

The Syrian conflict is relatively new to the world, but it still shows how horrible the regime these people are living under it is. The use of chemical weapons is by Assad is appalling and shows the true nature of the regime and the country itself. In my opinion. I agree with what Obama has decided, which is to take the weapons away from Syria. This way, we won't get involved in another useless war and risk thousands of lives. I was surprised to learn how intense the civil war is, needing the involvement of chemical weapons by the government against the rebellion. The rebellion doesn't sound like it's the best either, attacking back at the government and it's supporters. Also how none of the other candidates to take over Assad's job were much better than he is was surprising.

Freedom of speech in schools

Since we've been covering freedom of speech in schools over the past week, I decided to write my blog post this week about it. Freedom of speech in school is such a tricky subject,  because it seems like it is generally protected in school, but sometimes if it falls under a very specific set of guidelines, it's no longer allowed in schools. For example, the case with the students who had the sign that said, "BONG HiTS 4 JESUS". This event was ruled in favor of the school, however, had the students been fighting for legalization of marijuana their speech would have been allowed.
I feel like this doesn't completely apply at our high school, because some opinions about politics are so unpopular or so shamed that the people who support them don't feel like they can openly talk about them. The school and the administration also have an agenda, making sure that the topics introduced in a school setting are all under their control so that nothing will stray out of the opinions and ideas they want us to have. At SAGA panels, the idea that gender is fluid and isn't just male and female as well as the topic of transgender men and women were not allowed to be discussed. Seeing as this is an incredibly important topic, the administration is just putting a road block in the way of a discussion that could help out many kids who don't know where to go for help or what to ask about.