Living in a community such as the one fostered by all those who live, work, and study here at Brandeis University is a truly wonderful experience, however, like all things there exist flaws. As the entire campus is surely aware, a recent column article published in the 'Justice' ended with a very powerful and potentially offensive quote. I by no means excuse the remark or its implications, but I do think it presents an opportunity to bring to light a grave situation on campus; the lack of tolerance brought on by the very obsession with being tolerant.
Having grown up with extremely diverse surroundings and participated in a myriad of cultural events, as I continue to do now, I certainly realize the importance of unity and open-mindedness between peoples of all walks of life. Unfortunately, I have noticed that the Brandeis community seems to have an obsession with what we call "political correctness." As a professor who shall remain nameless said in a class during the week of October 20, "Americans seems to have a habit of lying to each other out of courtesy." Again I want to emphasize I am not excusing the all but evil quote found in the 'Justice', but the reaction to it is what spurs this reflection.
The United States of America prides itself on tolerance, integration, and finally that thing that seems to have been forgotten: Free Speech. Since becoming a member of the Brandeis community I have noticed that people are constantly forced to stop mid-sentence, censor themselves, and then move on with their point. I would like to protest this ridiculousness as loudly as I can! People's sensitivities must certainly be given head, but somewhere a line must be drawn. We are setting ourselves on a course where students and faculty alike are becoming more and more afraid to express their feelings and thoughts, which undermines the entirety of such an intellectual and acclaimed university. I beg each and every person on this campus from student to faculty member to staffer to ask themselves this question: Is our total quest for tolerance not a grand digression back to Soviet-style totalitarian rule where there is only one acceptable manner of expression and all others result in the crucifixion of the person who dared say something different?
This is not an opinion piece advocating hatred or supporting hate speech. If anything I would like to see more done about hateful incidents that occur on our campus. What this piece is about is provoking intellectual thought. I believe that every member of this campus needs to realize that to over correct is to do away with the freedoms and liberties that we are all so proud to have. It is to create an environment of fear and lack of expression, which is exactly what I see happening right here and now. Fellow members of the Brandeis community, be sensitive, be tolerant, enjoy and immerse yourselves in the rich and educational environment of diversity that we are so lucky to share. But also, let's not make it so that we have to look over our shoulders every time we make a remark that isn't sweet smelling and the color of rose petals.