Back in September, the student government of Wesleyan University got in a snit and decided to reduce funding for the Argus, the school's paper. The Argus had exhibited its fourth estate right by printing an opinion piece criticizing elements of the Black Lives Matter movement. Written by Bryan Stascavage, an Iraq veteran and self-proclaimed "moderate conservative, he disagreed with the "tactics and messaging" the movement pushed but agreed with its motivations and mission. In October, a noted columnist from the Washington Post wrote a piece detailing national campus intolerance in general and the implementation of censorship against the Argus in particular.

     College and universities are supposed to be the centers, the bastions, of free expression. I've always believed that spoken ideas, views, perspectives, opinions for and against a particular subject have long be guaranteed by the Constitution. I've long believed that same expression, as voiced within newspapers on or off campuses, was considered untouchable. I guess I was wrong. Wesleyan, along with other "centers of higher learning," have used political correctness to trump the free expression of views and opinions. Times sure have changed since I was in college. 

     In 1969, while attending Mount San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, California, the school elected to have a special guest speaker. Students were invited to attend that Friday afternoon and listen to Dr. Angela Davis. 

     At 25 years of age, Dr. Davis was already known nationally. She was a professor at UCLA; she was respected and reviled; she was black; she possessed a commanding presence, her dominant bearing capitalized by her full Afro. She was associated with the Black Panthers. And she was a Communist.

     The 1960's were on full throttle regarding civil rights and the Vietnam War. Neighborhoods were burning down and American citizens were taking sides over a conflict that saw division in this country not experienced since the Civil War.

     Nonetheless, Dr. Davis was invited to speak that hot, smoggy day. There were no complaints, no protests, no picketing, no rocking throwing in opposition to her visit. The small area of seats was filled with eager students. We wanted to listen to what she had to say. We the students guaranteed her right to say it.

    However, once Dr. Davis finished speaking, a minor disturbance broke out. And though I don't recall what Dr. Davis talked about or what actually precipitated the incident, I feel fortunate that I was able to listen to someone of Dr. Davis' national and political stature. 

     Though but a small junior college, Mt. SAC was part of that level of higher learning where differing views, popular or unpopular, could be voiced. A small college in 1969 embraced the right of free speech.

      Would someone like Dr. Davis, with such a firebrand background, be able to speak on campus today? Would she be given the guaranteed privilege of free speech? I wouldn't bet the ranch on it.