Recently, after speaking to students at American University, White House Advisor Karl Rove was followed to his car by more than a dozen students, some of whom threw objects and lied down in front of his car, prompting security officials to forcibly remove them.
Unfortunately, the incident with Rove is not the first time something like this has happened. Columnist Ann Coulter has had to combat a heckler hurling a pie. Activist David Horowitz has been physically attacked on stage. Perhaps the most notorious example includes Minutemen leader Jim Gilchrist and member Marvin Stewart, who were invited to speak at Columbia University.
Gilchrist spoke for approximately seven minutes before students charged the stage and attacked him. According to an article in the New York Sun, "[Student protestors] interrupted Mr. Stewart, who is African-American, when he referred to the Declaration of Independence's self-evident truth that 'All men are created equal,' calling him a racist, a sellout, and a black white supremacist."
This brief description does little to paint an accurate portrayal of what took place. A computer search on the incident will yield more detailed results, including video.
How appalling. Our society has come to the point where students who should be dedicated to the pursuit of truth cannot treat people civilly or calmly present an alternative viewpoint.
The issue here is basic courtesy but it has serious political ramifications.
There has been a shift from politely listening to a differing opinion to the point where some feel the need to drown out and silence any controversial position. To do this is to completely disregard another individual and his perspective.
Just as any person has the right to freedom of speech and expression, this right does not stretch to eradicating someone else's freedom of speech and expression. Not to mention it's unfair to those who actually want to hear what the speaker has to say.
This may move us to the point where, as a society, we are unable to have a decent dialogue. A dialogue is impossible when one side completely stigmatizes, brushes aside or even resorts to name-calling those on the opposing side.
Most of the speakers who are shouted down on campuses are conservatives or people who will not adopt left-wing positions.
The great irony here is that some of the individuals who brandish their signs, raise their voices and storm the stage would describe themselves as "open-minded" and "tolerant."
Yet, they actively participate in reducing the voices that can be heard. Perhaps they are "open-minded" and "tolerant" until someone states a position they don't hold.
All of this is not to argue that one needs to stand by passively or entirely disengage oneself from expressing any viewpoint. On the contrary, picket outside, don't applaud, ask challenging questions. But don't shout down other viewpoints.
Some may argue that their ideas should be better known. If your ideas are worthy, let them be tested by open debate. There is at a time and a place to discuss important issues, and there is a manner in which to do it in.
The Democratic candidates have given a new twist to the intolerance by backing out of a debate sponsored by Fox News and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Although Republican candidates have debated on liberal networks for years, the leading Democratic candidates have chosen to punish Fox's views by withholding their participation.
If the GOP were to follow their lead, it would be the end of debates on national television networks.
Yes, Karl Rove's dancing is highly disturbing, but he deserves basic courtesy, just like every other speaker.
Reach the reporter at: hilary.wade@asu.edu.
