Yesterday I came across an Independent article which reported
my University (Swansea) as one of the worst institutions to having bans on
things it doesn’t like. The notable example the article (and others which have
talked about the report) have turned to is how Pole Fitness was banned on the
grounds of it being “inextricably linked to the multi-million pound sex
industry” as the line has gone. It really pissed me off when I read the
article. But, having revision to do, I turned away from my rage to allow myself
to contemplate what this meant and to give myself time to calm down before
writing thoughts upon it. Because part of the reason I’m so adamantly against
banning (which I guess is what I’m about cover here) is that on should think
before saying things.
The report suggested anti-trans/pro-Israel and
Atheist/Secularist speakers are the most commonly prohibited from speaking at
Universities. These three issues, hot topics from what I understand of
progressive politics currently, make sense. I would like to say that I’m
speaking as someone who is the son of a trans person, a Quaker [ergo religious]
and Palestinian sympathise when I write this blog. But one thing I believe
adamantly is that we as young people should not have cotton wool over our eyes.
In a world where politicians sneakily pass things through parliament without us
looking, where men in authority may commit crimes lost to “missing dossiers” we
must be aware of what is going on around us – even if we happen to thoroughly
disagree with a voice that is speaking.
When Germaine Greer eventually pulled out from speaking at
Cardiff Uni, I was honestly gobsmacked. A minority of people – a few hundred –
rallied against her enough to be able to make her decide not to speak. While I
disagree with her stance on transgenderism and ergo, believe her progressivism
to be out of date, I cannot stand the idea that she’s not allowed to speak in guest lecture which is not mandatory for
students to attend. I do not think that having her attend the University is
saying a fuck you to trans people. Because I think that there is a certain
amount of respect/support always growing when it comes to these issues –
though, I understand how it must be frustrating having a voice appear at your
uni may be perceived as supporting her views. But hear me out:
If we let her speak, we can question her. We can argue with
her, we can fight against her. Because by doing so, by making her think about what is being said, I think
that that is allowing free speech. This idea that we simply allow offence
no-questions-asked in the name of freedom is a nonsense query. Much like
claiming that having someone speak in the first place is also nonsense. One of
the recurring themes from politicians left-to-right when discussing Donald
Trump the other being banned from the UK is that they believed they could
challenge and even change his opinions. By banning we do not allow our causes
to be fought for – what we do is pretend an opposition doesn’t exist.
The same goes for Israel/Palestine. I was part of celebration
when our Parliament voted to recognise the state of Palestine two years ago and
would still cheer now. But I do not believe that people can honestly claim a
simple black and white position upon an issue as complicated as a country which
was established 70 years ago out of another country, leaving a complicated
political and cultural battle with it, is foolish. This issue cannot just be
divided into “Israel wrong, Palestine good”. I originally thought that too –
but looking into the issue, a lot more is at play. Perhaps having speakers in
say, a place of higher education getting to talk about this in a different
context would help us understand it more – hint hint.
Obviously, there is a defence that we need our universities
to be a safe place. I understand this immensely well, as someone who is LGBT
and someone has suffered mental health issues. Having your learning as well as
social environment be accommodating and accepting to you as a person is vital
for your wellbeing and progression. But, there is a case to be made that by
having SUs and Universities allow ideas to spread and educated/argue between us
as young people will generate some opposition, yes, but even if you do not want
to put up the fight yourself it will simply help Allies understand if you can
help say “hey, this person said x which is offensive” to which someone more to-the-cause
will remember. By having opposition, you create a breeding ground for your
principles to grow and be even more sophisticated.
Now, as I was lying in bed struggling to sleep (as pre-exam
nerves do), I thought “well hang on. I don’t want a Neo Nazi Students Society
in Swansea – so maybe even I have a line on free speech and banning?” And it
was here where I saw problems develop. The distinction I can make with something
like a Neo Nazi group of course is that they tend to be harmful of people,
which as a pacifist (again, Quaker), I really cannot condone and do not think
that any SU anywhere should be aiding people in harming others. But speaking
does not necessarily mean harm and it is important we, as a Union, University
and communities really examine what we mean by this.
I happen to tink there is quite a strength for the idea that,
Uni offers itself as political experimentation in a safe environment. If people
want to dabble in UKIP politics now, only to realise maybe it’s not the best
way for them, it’s a good environment to do it in. There should be regulations
as to how people behave, as mentioned, but allowing a safety-net of it all just
being part of Uni is perhaps smarter than people trying to ‘find out about
these things on their own’. There is a trend amongst young people to do things
out of protest which can lead to several dangerous behaviour developing. “OH we’re
BANNED from doing x/y/z so we must do it excessively now, in fact.”
We must allow discussion, though I always say that when
discussing politics it is best if you treat it as a legal argument that one is
having over a tea party. People must think and have good manners, the sort of
thing you would like your Mum to hear as well as convey your argument. Tact is
vital in a world where we allow several microphones to go off and rally
different causes.Obviously, there will be people who disagree to this stance.
And, obviously, I welcome them to. If I do not reply take it I’m taking a well-deserved
holiday after a rather long revision period.
Peace and love to all.
