Advocating For Change

A few thoughts on free speech and free expression.

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you no doubt know that I am an ardent defender of free speech.  All Americans should be able to listen, learn, and express themselves in whatever manner they wish.  This is not simply an essential right, it is THE essential right, and what being an American is largely about. 

Sadly, it seems that if you are a student at my hometown's Fairfield Warde High School, you are not granted this important right.  School officials determine what you are allowed to say, and seemingly, what opinions you are permitted to have.  If you disobey them on such matters, you will quickly find yourself suspended, or even expelled (1).

Last year, I took the first step in attempting to change some of Warde's restrictive policies.   In May, I wrote a letter to then-Headmaster David Ebling, urging that Warde adopt a local version of the "Chicago Statement" (Note 1).    Unfortunately, Mr. Ebling failed to respond to my concerns, which I partially chalked up to the fact that his retirement was pending (2).

This past January, I again wrote Warde's Headmaster, now Mr. Paul Cavanna.  Once more, I described the Chicago Statement, and advocated for change (3).  Mr. Cavanna acknowledged receiving my e-mail on the subject, but (apparently) took no further action regarding the matter (4).

With the failure of my initial actions, I find that it's now time to "step up the game", so to speak.  In the coming weeks and months, I plan to write various op-eds/"letters to the editor" describing how Warde suppresses those that may disagree with the official line.  In addition, I am in the process of starting a petition, its purpose being to facilitate consideration of the "Chicago Statement" by school administrators.

Now, whether you agree with one's stated stances or not, all Americans deserve the right to express themselves.  It is this right that I seek to protect, and mount a vigorous defense of.  American students do not lose their rights "at the schoolhouse door", and the youth of Fairfield shouldn't either (5).

I'll keep you informed of further developments regarding this issue.

Note 1: In January 2015, the University of Chicago's "Committee on Freedom of Expression" authored a groundbreaking report called the "Chicago Statement".  In short, the Statement declares this; that all members of the college's community are guaranteed "the broadest possible latitude" to express themselves (6).




Sources:

1. 2019-20 Fairfield Warde High School Student Handbook. Fairfield Warde High School, 2019, p. 15.

2. Personal knowledge.  

3. Boland, Matt. "Concerns Regarding Free Expression". 2020.

4. Cavanna, Paul. "Re: Concerns Regarding Free Expression". 2020.

5. Quote author unknown.  

6. Stone, Geoffrey R. et al. Report Of The Committee On Free Expression. Committee On Free Expression, University Of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2015, https://provost.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/documents/reports/FOECommitteeReport.pdf. Accessed 8 June 2020.