Censorship and Language

Censorship and Language

Introduction

Language is an essential element of communication. It exists in various forms and ways alike. Language is used in texting, calling, email and most importantly, in the verbal conversation. Censorship in the United States involves the suppression of speech or any public communications. It raises the issue of freedom of expression that is protected by the First Amendment to the constitution of the United States. Language censorship is one of the latest forms of language use, especially over social media and other forms of digital media.

On the other hand, do believe that language should not be censored or banned throughout college campuses and or social media platforms. According to the first amendment, people have the right to free speech, and by restricting language, it takes away this freedom. Censorship is not, in my view, a solution to the problems that people try to solve using this procedure despite the other feeling that uncensored language does stir element of hatred and tension among different people. An amicable solution to this should be arrived at through various means other than language censorship.

In “Why We Need to Tolerate Hate,” author and social critic with a law degree, Wendy Kaminer talk about the freedom of speech and the first amendment. She talks about how hate speech should be tolerated and that the law covers up hate speech. According to her, “[B]besides protections of presumptively hateful speech are not absolute: A prohibited act, like assault or vandalism, accompanied by vicious expressions of bigotry, make constitute a hate crime under the law” (382).  Kaminer explains that other acts such as vandalism and assault have consequences under the law, but hate speech is not one of them.

kaminer points out that for a crime to be a hate crime, some elements first amendment freedoms have to be taken away (384). The amendment demands that people have freedom of speech. As such censorship can also come in the form of taking away this freedom of speech. It is taking away people’s way of expressing their feelings and saying what they believe. Kaminer also states “Vandalism is not a form of protected speech, regardless of the ideas it expresses” (384). Vandalism is not covered in the constitution. Therefore it is a crime, unlike hate speech, which is included in the structure. So being charged for destruction is acceptable while hate speech should not warrant any charge according to the law.

Today, college students are punished for everything ranging from mild satire to writing politically incorrect short stories, and to have the wrong opinion on virtually every issue of concern. (Kaminer 384). This shows how free speech is being limited and how it is affecting the will by most people to express themselves freely. Equally, Children do not have the opportunity of having an opinion because it can be used against them. By trying to limit free speech, it takes away people’s voices. Restricting free speech would cause people to hold in what they are feeling lead to negativity and can lead to violence. By letting your opinions out it shows how an individual has the freedom to be heard and to listen to someone else alike. As college students, it is critical to have the choice to express our feelings as well as share our views. People go to college to learn and by having free speech or the freedom of using any language without censorship, students can learn through each other and gain more knowledge. We want to be able to be heard in a place where we feel like our voices will be heard, which is on college campuses.

In “ When Hate Speech and Free Speech Collide” professor of education and sociology at American University, Cynthia Miller Idriss, and project director of Campus Free Speech at PEN America, Jonathan Friedman talk about how colleges and faculties respond very poorly when it comes to hate speech around the area of the college. Idriss states that “Despite the frequency of these events, many campus leaders continue to stumble badly in their responses.” (2). He tries to explain the confusion of responding to cases of hate speech among college faculties.

Idriss proceeded to state states “After all, barring a threat to public safety, the first amendment does offer protections for free speech at public universities and colleges (and most private universities also follow this standard)” (para 6). As a United States citizen, we all have the right to the first amendment, and even though in places like colleges and universities, some believe, we need to limit speech at certain times.  I think that restrict free expression takes away our first amendment rights. As college students, we are young adults, and we have the knowledge and the difference between right and wrong.  It is, however, key that we do not offend anyone or use racist language.

On the other hand, people take advantage of the first amendment and use it as a way to protect themselves from being incriminated of racial or inappropriate language. College students want to use free speech and talk about their social and political points, but by restricting communication, this holds back college students from having a voice. “In the past month, for example, swastikas have been spray-painted twice on the rock at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, as well as on the “free expression bridge” at Duke University” (para 4).

In the article, “The Free Speech Problem on Campuses is real. It Will Ultimately Hurt Dissidents”, Anthony L .Fisher, associate editor and columnist for the week, a  writer and director of the feature film sidewalk traffic, talks about free speech on college campuses. Fisher talks about how, in some instances, the first amendment is taken for granted and is misused. He states that “Freedom of speech is often misunderstood, frequently taken for granted, and always on the defensive against forces both within and outside of government.”(para. 4). Most people misuse freedom of speech and say whatever they want, whenever they want. Although I feel like language should not be censored and people should have free speech, I think that it should not be misused or abused. And by being abused, I mean that it should not be used to an extent where it is becoming a problem for students or hurting them. Fisher says “Taken in its totality, PEN America’s report rejects the idea that free speech is a tool of oppression. Yet the story differs from the standard conservative anti-“PC” blame in that it also shows a great deal of sympathy for the concerns of minority groups on campus.

Adding further nuance, the authors spend a good time explaining how free speech is a vital tool for people removed from the traditional power structures at America’s institutions of higher learning.” (para. 12). Free speech is an essential tool because students on college campuses can talk to the college, and as Frank said, it shows sympathy for minority groups. According to the article “UCLA grad student and pro-Palestinian activist Rahim Kurwa did say that, “One cannot have diversity and social justice speech in spaces without free speech … free speech is not incompatible with our campaign but essential to it.” He adds: “Social change isn’t frictionless. It only happens with friction. You have to engage” (Fisher, para. 38). Free speech is an essential part of our lives, and it is necessary, mainly because we need to use it during college and around college campuses and even when we are not on college campuses. In college campuses, students need to protect themselves and to do that you need to have free speech and be able to say whatever you want. The first amendment guarantees freedom of expression and students should be granted this throughout in colleges as well.

According to Varol, Onur, in the article “Spatiotemporal analysis of censored content on Twitter.” Most of the use of abusive language often comes out when the censored expressions or the word which is encrypted in a twitter message is revealed. Without the use of language censorship, instances of abusive twitter would, therefore, be a thing of the past. In essence, language censorship in one way or the other does contribute to the illegal use of language. To convey a person’s attitude or to try to understand what they are saying, we use censored word. Throughout college campuses, we make speeches and talk during lectures, and we used explicit language to express our opinions. However, this language is abused and whatever misunderstanding it may cause, we still have to live with it and even by it” (Birk and Birk, pg. 269). Although the charged language is abused, it is used in our lives daily, and half our word is charged language.

Conclusion

The United States is perceived as one of the most democratic countries in the world. However, this democracy is under a significant test when it comes to freedom of speech. Despite the first amendment that dictates the element of freedom of expression in the country, the aspect of language censorship appears to be infringing on the right offered by the constitution, the right to address. The two are seen to be in an ever contrasting scenario with the power to address under great scrutiny by the various authorities which act as the custodian of this right to expression by language censorship.   According to the amendment rights, we have the right to freedom of expression, and by having free speech and censorship, this gives college students the power to share their opinions without having to hold back what they have to say. Generally, college students are the most affected by language censorship as they are intimidated based on their opinions.