Censorship at Brandeis University

Censorship at Brandeis University

Dear President Reinharz,

The decision to reprimand the editors of the Gravity was misguided. I know
the First Amendment does not apply to Brandeis, but that is no reason
to promote less free expression on a university campus. This is a national
problem of citizens supporting censorship. What ever happened to rational
speech? Silencing expression increases the number of misinformed people.
The principle used to justify censorship at Brandeis, is not applied
equally
to all groups. Negative speech is only an issue if the targeted group is wealthy
and/or powerful. I see this regularly as I try to raise awareness of the issue
of demonizing persons with disabilities. Criticizing certain ethnic, religious,
racial and gender groups is prohibited. But it is still acceptable for public
humiliation of persons with disabilities.
The action at Brandeis is no different from elected officials catering to
wealthy and powerful interest groups. That abomination has spread to the campus
which is unfortunate at best.

Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Cambridge MA USA