Free Speech Monument at PVCC

Skye Scott, staff writer

Editor’s Note: May contain images offensive to some.

The Thomas Jefferson Center’s Mobile Free Speech Monument was on PVCC’s main campus to celebrate Free Speech Week from Oct. 17-24, 2016.

The four chalkboard walls of the monument provided ample room for students and faculty to write their thoughts and opinions without facing direct scrutiny.

“I want students to think about that fundamental right to speech, right? And remember that free speech is hard. Because free speech means that not only do you get to talk but other people have that right to do it too, right? And you may disagree with them, you may find what they say offensive, but they have the right to say it, just as the people who find you offensive and your words offensive can’t take away your right to say it,” said Connie Jorgensen, an assistant professor of political science.

The wall was cleaned each night so that there was a blank slate the next morning for students and faculty to continue to write their new thoughts and ideas on.

Recurring themes on the wall were Harambe, the gorilla, and political stances about the upcoming presidential election. This was a great time for people on PVCC’s campus to present their political views without other people arguing or getting offended to their face.

“We [librarians]  make it a point, and it is stipulated in our policies, that we try to represent all viewpoints, that the materials we include in our collections are reputable and authoritative but that all viewpoints are represented. Because it’s so important to us to promote freedom of speech, and that includes allowing all sides to be heard,” said Crystal Newell, the coordinator of library services at PVCC.

The Free Speech Monument provided a place for all students and faculty on campus to present their viewpoints, to question things that we normally accept, and just simply a place to be heard.

Newell said that being able to write thoughts and feelings on the wall, instead of having to speak them, could also be a nice way to get the pressure of the spotlight off of shyer student’s shoulders, allowing them to also have a voice.

“Remember that the constitution says that the government doesn’t give you this right to free speech, right? It specifically says Congress can’t take the right away. So … you are not being granted this right, you inherently have this right,” said Jorgensen. However, she does say that no right is absolute, quoting the cliché of “you can’t yell fire in a crowded room” as evidence of that.

However, while there may be some areas where freedom of speech does not apply, both Jorgensen and Newell agree that in the area of academic education, freedom of speech is very important.

Without free speech, students would not be able to research topics as well as they might hope to, and teachers would not be able to teach certain areas that are important for students to have an understanding of. Jorgensen said that academic freedom and freedom of speech are like two entwined fingers.

“Your voice matters, your opinions matter, and … everyone has a right to their freedom of speech. And that that is a central part of our democratic process,” said Newell.