Should This Student Have Been Expelled?

Gina Moreno
October 2, 2012
English composition I

Nat Hentoff, the author of “Should This Student Have Been Expelled” argues that no matter how offensive words go, that everyone has a right to say whatever as far as freedom of speech goes. In this article Nat Hentoff supports his claim along with the decision making by Gregorian, president of Brown University, whether not to or to expel Hann for his inappropriate language being held towards others at the University. Hann’s words that included “Niggers, Fucking Jew, and Faggot” have offended some of the students that felt the use of crucial racism being held. As some fight to set limits to our freedom of speech, while others fight to defend it, Nat Hentoff is one to defend it, because he believes that we do have the freedom to speak. Reading this article, I found that Nat Hentoff made his point very well, because he was definitely right about freedom of speech, but supporting this opinion, it is important to notice the facts given, but also along with the rights given.
Should he have been expelled even when there was not any action being held? The arguments against and for the expulsion of Hann remain to be a controversial decision prior in the argument. Even though Hann was a varsity football player at Brown University also concentrating on organizational behavior and management and business economics, he was under a decision making for being expelled for his crucial racism and foul language being held toward other students. In the “Offense III [of the Brown Code]-which deals with harassment-prohibits inappropriate, abusive, threatening, or demeaning ACTIONS based on race, religion, gender, handicap, ethnicity, national origin, or sexual orientation” does not mention anything speech wise, but only action wise. Although the advocates and the supporters of Doug Hann explain that there was violating remarks that were rude and inappropriate to which the students found it offensive, there was not action being held in any manner of the situation presented. Therefore, this shouldn’t have been taken to a whole other level.
Another thing, words may take more action. “Now that some courts have found that public universities are bound by the first amendment’s ban on state censorship and thus may not punish students for expressing politically incorrect or socially distasteful ideas. Brown is trying to avoid censorship but draws a line between strong language and what the courts often call fighting words.” Therefore, Vartan Gregorian, the president of Brown University had to take action, along with the Undergraduate Disciplinary Council and they concluded that Hann had to leave the University forevermore, since Hann’s speech had taken action to others because of the behavior performance. The president of Brown University, Vartan Gregorian denies that they haven’t expelled anyone for the “exercise of free speech.” I do understand that Hann could have acted in a lower position, but for them to expel him forever from Brown was over exaggerating. It could have been held in a different way if anything. He didn’t target his behavior in actions nor did he try to interact with the “hostages.” All that occurred was emotional interaction. I would agree if he had physical interaction with them, because therefore there would have been a major conflict.
To read this article and support my opinions as well as Nat Hentoff did, there will always be rude comments everywhere. Freedom of speech is being held in this country and in my honest opinion words can hurt and be offensive at times, but I assure you that it is not more effective then actions being held. There are some things people shouldn’t say, because words can be threatening. I do understand that part, but as far as it goes in the article, someone getting expulsed for freedom of speech that was presented from Doug Hann was just not necessary. They had taken this situation further than it should have gone. There are many college students that encounter foul language at colleges, not once have I seen this taken upon another level as it did in this article. Even if it does involve crucial racism remarks, people will just have to get over it. This world is full of many ignorant people, life just goes on. People should know how some others act; they should just ignore the ignorance being presented in the air and move on. Things would be less of a disturbance if you just move on. Don’t nag on it like they did in the article, because they just made it worse and more of an argument. There was no need for any of this, in my opinion.