Texas State students voice on free speech

By Isaac Muñoz

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The recently signed laws targeting free speech on college campuses in Texas and nationally has Texas State students divided on the climate of free speech on the San Marcos campus.

Governor Greg Abbott passed a law, SB 18 on June 10, that would protect freedom of speech on college campuses in Texas so that no organization or speaker can be banned. Texas State has been a place known for having controversial situations happen due to free speech.

In December, the student newspaper, The University Star, went under fire when a student column contained anti-white messages in it. Then in April there was the TPUSA controversy and later that month four students got arrested at a protest for a group that was expected to march.

Donald Stevenson
Photo credit: Aaron Esparza 

“I thought the student government’s decision to ban the group entirely from campus was a little drastic, especially considering they do not have the authority to do so,” Donald Stevenson, senior, said. “Whether or not you agree with the organization’s core values, it is still imperative that we as young professionals learn how to deal with varying viewpoints.”

Texas State University has been ranked one of the worst colleges to attend for free speech according to FIRE. Texas State student Michael Howell says that being at Texas State has been really eye-opening for him. 

Michael Howell
Photo credit: Giselle Kowalski

“I see more political views here versus my old school, they were really reserved and conservative,” Howell said. “But I come here, and you get to see different types of backgrounds and they’re more vocal about standing up for what you believe in.”

According to a report released by the Knight Foundation, six out of 10 college students say that too many people are easily offended by others people language. 74% of college men, 51% of college women and 23% of nonbinary students say that too many people are easily offended. Most college students agree that hate speech should be protected by the First Amendment.

Ryan Taylor
Photo Credit: Alex Wade

Junior Ryan Taylor, 22, said that he doesn’t feel unsafe by most college students wanting to protect hate speech. Taylor says he thinks it’s better for people to be vocal about their hate so you know who and who not to surround yourself with.

“Silent hate is worse than vocal hate,” Taylor said.

The federal funding of universities is threatened with the executive order by President Donald Trump. If universities fail to protect on freedom of speech campus, then their education and research grants will be cut.

Allison Castillo
Photo Credit: Aaron Esparza

Everett Hughes
Photo Credit: Samuel Bates

“On principle, I am a huge supporter of the First Amendment and advocate for the voicing of opinions even if I disagree wholeheartedly with the person speaking,” junior Allison Castillo said after being asked if it’s fair that both President Trump and Governor Abbott threatened to pull federal funding from universities that didn’t protect free speech or all groups. “That being said, I would never agree with going so far as to threaten the pulling of federal funding from universities in an effort to manipulate the institution to abide by your own personal beliefs.” 

Senior Everett Hughes said that opening the door to groups that are more likely to breed hateful speech you are giving a platform to hate speech and creating more issues.

“A campus has very group, every race, every language so when you let a group that is against that level of diversity speak, you are only allowing more violent natures to come out,” Hughes said.