Walking out of her last class for the day, Samantha Schoolman stopped when she noticed about a hundred students and community members gathered around a popular influencer for a political debate on Sept. 10.
Schoolman, a freshman studying political science, waited in line to speak at the event, only to be insulted and called slurs when it was her turn.
Alongside racist and misogynistic rhetoric, the guest speaker made claims that women should not attend college and responded dismissively to Schoolman's questions.
"ASU should make every student feel welcomed, and I think that this doesn't make every student feel welcome," Schoolman said. "Women should be allowed to be on a college campus without being in fear of judgment or retaliation from their fellow students."
Debates like these are not uncommon on college campuses. ASU holds over 2,000 events each year, which undergo a registry process and must be submitted for approval at least 14 days prior.
According to a University web page, ASU does not regulate events based on the views speakers express. However, free speech expression events must be kept to daytime hours in outdoor spaces, keep passageways clear, maintain reasonable volume and do no harm.
A University spokesperson emphasized in a written statement that ASU supports the right to free speech as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and aims to foster open dialogue.
"Each semester, ASU colleges, schools, student organizations, units, and centers welcome hundreds of speakers representing a wide range of perspectives," the spokesperson stated. "The presence of any speaker does not imply university endorsement."
READ MORE: ASU denies opposing political events, leading to frustration, lawsuit threat
According to the Arizona Board of Regents' policy, it is not the role of the University "to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment, including ideas that may be unwelcome, disagreeable or deeply offensive."
The Toxic Masculinity Tour, led by conservative podcaster Myron Gaines, is a multi-college event that stopped at various universities in September and early October to host open-mic style debates with the speaker in a tent and a line of people waiting to ask questions and speak into the microphone.
"Open debate is very positive, even though (Gaines) is a very controversial figure, and he speaks in a very provocative manner," said James Johnson, an attendee of the ASU leg of the Toxic Masculinity Tour. "I appreciate speakers who aren't afraid to just voice it like they see it."
But Schoolman disagreed, saying it was "jarring" to see so many of her male peers supporting Gaines' opinions.
"I do think that ASU having them here is a little bit of an issue, just because nothing he promotes is peaceful, and nothing he promotes is a safe environment," she said.
James Mills, a freshman studying electrical engineering, said the event was a way to hear different perspectives and learn about politics.
Having conversations in smaller groups, with those who are similarly educated, could be a better format to create cordial and productive conversations, Mills said. Campus debates can feature people who do not know how to fully articulate their viewpoints, leading to heightened anger, Mills added.
"There's a lot of unnecessary emotion on both sides, and I believe that this format of public spectacle incentivizes people to be more snappy and rude," Mills said. "It's not conducive to true understanding."
Lindsie Rank is the director of campus rights at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for expanding the right to free speech.
Rank said college campuses have historically been centers for debate because young people are learning to test their beliefs and have passionate conversations.
As a public university, most of ASU property is owned by the state, and therefore the University legally cannot restrict free speech except in certain unprotected circumstances, Rank said.
READ MORE: ASU plans new Center for Free Speech while facing challenges of political neutrality
Rank said students should be taught how to engage in civic dialogue and have difficult conversations. However, she also added there comes a point where controversial speech is used to merely offend, rather than to discuss — and those conversations may be best to walk away from.
"Free speech is not easy. It is hard work," Rank said. "It's really important for students and for people in general to determine when they want to disengage from a conversation."
Sean Semanko, the founder and president of Uncensored America, said debate events create a "free speech culture" on college campuses. He added that it is important for students to have discussions and listen to people who have different opinions from them.
Uncensored America is a nationwide and nonpartisan organization that hosts "fun conversations with controversial figures to fight censorship and cancel culture," according to its website. It put on the Toxic Masculinity Tour.
Semanko said even though what Myron said is offensive to some students, it is "important that they hear it."
Rank said the First Amendment allows controversial and offensive speech, including the slurs used by speakers at the debate, because it is not the government's place to determine what people can and cannot say.
"We have so much power when we speak back against those viewpoints, when we speak back against things that we disagree with or that we find repugnant," Rank said. "I really just encourage students to retake that and use free speech for your own purposes."
Andi Ruiz contributed to this story.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Emilio Alvarado, Kate Gore and Senna James.
Reach the reporter at ajanusee@asu.edu and follow @lexijanusee on X.
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Lexi Janusee is a senior reporter at The State Press. She is a sophomore studying Journalism with a minor in Theatre. This is her third semester with The State Press, working previously as a full-time Echo reporter.
