Conservatives have been complaining, and quite loudly, about unfair treatment of conservative speakers on campus. Now, they are complaining about a liberal professor who plans to teach a course entitled "Trumpism and U. S. Democracy," which will feature "strategies for resistance." The university's provost defends the course, saying "Butler offers a variety of courses that tackle controversial topics.
Like any University, Butler should — and does — promote an environment
of critical inquiry and engagement on controversial and unpopular topics." Just so. The protests are particularly ironic, in light of conservative outrage about the treatment of Ann Coulter at UC Berkeley.
Universities are about the free exchange of ideas. It's time for people to quit getting angry every time someone with whom you disagree wants to say something.
Students who don't want to hear Ann Coulter can skip her speeches. Students who don't want to take a class about Trump resistance can register for something else. Problem solved.
Better yet: listen to speakers on both sides of a controversial issue. You might actually learn something.
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