In the article, Ted Gup notes that his nonfiction writing class is “…a sanctuary of free speech” (Gup 2). What such an expression means is that his students are at liberty to utter absolutely anything during his class including even the N-word and the F-word. According to him, words should not be suppressed in fear of regulations and being out of the ‘safe zone’. Such is because we live in a democratic nation where free speech is guaranteed. Gup, however, contends that students must face the consequences of their words. Therefore, in as much as students are free to say anything which is typical in most democracies, they must take responsibility.
According to Gup, suppression of free speech and self-censorship are highly dangerous. Such is due to the contemporary era where safe spaces are created by individuals and different groups. Considering himself ‘an old-school liberal’, the author points out that free speech has no boundaries and attempts at creating such demarcations threatens imagination and prevents writers from being true to themselves (Gup 2). Furthermore, those who exude free speech shouldn’t be restricted in their minds or concerned about the occurrences of their surroundings. Such may seem to border irresponsibility but in a sense determine the integrity of free speech, an essence of art and democracy.
Gup additionally enumerates that free speech and democracy provide liberty but consequences abound such responsibility. That is why he allows to students to say anything in class but in the wake of use of offensive words, the students must bear the brunt of such words. According to the author, a classroom is like a democracy and imposition of limits of words undermines its principles (Gup 3). That same democracy is self-corrective in nature which can attract social ostracism or official punishment. However, that corrective nature is imposed by the community including students. He concludes that free-speech does not endanger minority groups for instance gays and others. It allows free engagement and challenge of such anti notions towards these groups. Being a victim of anti-Semitism because he was a Jew, he notes that free speech and multiculturalism are indivisible (Gup 3). Thus, to progress as a culture, polity or an individual, we must promote democratic and artistic principles and free speech.
Work Cited
Gup, Ted. “A Different Kind of Safe Space” THE CHRONICLE of HIGHER EDUCATION
(2016)
