Free Speech & Dissent: Cancel Culture Must Be Resisted

A “pall of orthodoxy” has descended over an increasing number of American institutions. The stifling of dissent and the pressuring of people to conform to ideological dogmas that began in universities has spread to the media and even to the corporate world. While official government censorship may be rare, we are living in a moment where the consequences of speaking out on the “wrong side” of controversial issues — or even supporting others who speak out — are often nothing short of personal and professional ruin. And while we can, and should, expect people to display some degree of fortitude when it comes to the private social consequences of free expression, the price has become so high that an ever-shrinking number of people are willing to pay it.

A prime example of this phenomenon is the situation that has been unfolding at my alma mater, Princeton University, over the past several weeks. On July 4, more than 350 Princeton faculty, staff, and graduate students signed a petition demanding the university do more to address racism on campus, including by creating “a committee composed entirely of faculty that would oversee the investigation and discipline of racist behaviors, incidents, research, and publication on the part of faculty.”

About the Author

Samantha Harris

Samantha Harris is a partner at Allen Harris PLLC.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Higher Education

Cancel Culture

A “pall of orthodoxy” has descended over an increasing number of American institutions. The stifling of dissent and the pressuring of people to conform to ideological dogmas that began in universities has spread to the media and even to the corporate world. While official government censorship may be rare, we are living in a moment where the consequences of speaking out on the “wrong side” of controversial issues — or even supporting others who speak out — are often nothing short of personal and professional ruin. And while we can, and should, expect people to display some degree of fortitude when it comes to the private social consequences of free expression, the price has become so high that an ever-shrinking number of people are willing to pay it.

A prime example of this phenomenon is the situation that has been unfolding at my alma mater, Princeton University, over the past several weeks. On July 4, more than 350 Princeton faculty, staff, and graduate students signed a petition demanding the university do more to address racism on campus, including by creating “a committee composed entirely of faculty that would oversee the investigation and discipline of racist behaviors, incidents, research, and publication on the part of faculty.”