FREE SPEECH IS CRUCIAL TO OUR SENSE OF BELONGING TO, AND OF OUR IDENTITY IN, A COLLECTIVE SPACE.
正规博彩十大网站 believes speech should be grounded in our unified efforts to include, 尊重, and to care for all citizens. The freedom of speech ultimately yields controversy in communities that understand that truth is so complex that it can only emerge in mixed form. Just as the friction between two sticks yields the light of fire, the cacophony of voices that challenge, object, 问题, and critique can bring more light to any issue. 同时, the heart of education is the desire to make the wealth of human knowledge available, to foster new understanding, and to support ideas and actions that will lead to a more just and more equitable world for all humankind.
然而, as we look out at the world, 看新闻, 或者阅读社交媒体, we may be dismayed by the words being spoken and the actions that are currently taking place–actions that divide, 侮辱, and demean other people. The Southern Poverty Law Center has documented a rise in incidents of hate directed at people of color, immigrants and refugees, and people from the 女同性恋, 同性恋, 双性恋, and transgender community. These events are occurring across the world, 在美国, 在南卡罗来纳州, 在大学校园里. 正规博彩十大网站 is not immune to this disturbing pattern of behavior.
We do not seek to omit differences among citizens. 正相反, we value the diverse experiences that each citizen of the community brings when those opposing voices struggle to persuade and elevate. Diversity edifies this struggle. We value its potential to render interlocutors as agonists–those who struggle together in pursuit of some goal–as opposed to antagonists–those who struggle against opponents. This can ultimately lead to strength and concord.
Scholarship and education must take place in an atmosphere of civil discourse. We can disagree without 侮辱ing, 冒犯, or hurting other people, but we will not remain silent in the face of intimidation, 嘲笑, 或偏见. Language that debases, 贬低, 嘲笑, 刻板印象, or belittles others is at odds with Coker’s educational objective and will not be tolerated. 因此, it is necessary for members of the University to recognize and actively resist incidents of verbal harassment and intimidation, 是否通过声音, 手势, 社交媒体, 电话或短信, taking place on our campus. This behavior makes others feel unwelcome and is a violation of University policy; it has no place at 正规博彩十大网站.
It is up to each one of us to make the University a community that welcomes and celebrates the essential worth and unique qualities of each person. We hold ourselves and all around us to a high standard of speech–forgiving imperfect attempts at learning to speak in such a voice, but continuing to recognize that the well-being of diverse citizens is always at the center of democracy’s aim at 正规博彩十大网站.
For more information on diversity and inclusion please contact Darlene Small, 导演, the Center for Diversity, Interfaith and 包含教育, dsmall@科克.edu, 843-383-8039, LITC 118.
