‘What does free speech mean to you?’
Three members at the photo desk for The Rocky Mountain Collegian were tasked with interviewing people on campus at Colorado State University regarding free speech. What follows in this gallery are the thoughts and opinions surrounding free speech — on campus and in the classroom — as spoken by some of the students at CSU
“I believe freedom of speech should be allowed as long as it is not hurtful intentionally,” Robert Wiggins said Feb. 1. “If it is truth, and it’s what they feel to be true and how they feel, they should be allowed to share — but not in a derogatory way.”
Collegian | Garrett Mogel
“I think you should be able to say what you want to say and have freedom of speech, but it should also be, not limited, but in the correct environment,” Nick Jannetto said Feb. 1.
Collegian | Garrett Mogel
“I do not think that free speech on campus is as free as, let’s say, out in The Plaza in a more public setting,” John Deringer said Feb. 1.
Collegian | Garrett Mogel
“(Free speech is) being able to express yourself and say what you want to say,” Nick Ferguson said Feb. 1.
Collegian | Garrett Mogel
“(Free speech) honestly means expressing yourself however you want and accepting how others express themselves,” Elizabeth Seitzinger said Feb. 1.
Collegian | Milo Gladstein
“I think free speech is being able to tell everybody how you feel about certain topics, especially things that are really important to you,” Elizabeth Lux said Feb. 1.
Collegian | Milo Gladstein
“(Free speech is) an opportunity for anybody to voice their opinion and get people excited about certain issues,” Cooper Bisset said Feb 1.
Collegian | Milo Gladstein
“You can say whatever you want on campus,” Avery Riddoch said Feb. 1. “What’s sad is you can say whatever you want — even if it offends someone else, it can be protected under free speech.”
Collegian | Milo Gladstein
“(Free speech is) just being able to express your own opinion,” Casey Browne said Feb. 1.
Collegian | Milo Gladstein
“I certainly do value free speech in America,” Brad Shurts said Jan. 24. “I think it’s super important, and I am very grateful we do have that in the first place, but quite frankly, I’m a little bit scared for what the future looks like because who’s to say with the way the political climate is heading in this country that we will have that in 20 years? It’s something I feel is being taken for granted, and not everyone understands how important it is or what it really actually means, but for myself and all Americans, I hope it stays around for good.”
Collegian | Grayson Reed
“I think free speech is being able to say what you want to say as long as it’s not hateful or derogatory against anyone on or off campus,” Ryan Fry said Jan. 24. “It goes both ways.”
Collegian | Grayson Reed
Reach Milo Gladstein, Garrett Mogel and Grayson Reed at photo@collegian.com or on twitter @GladsteinMilo, @MountainManGman and @graysonreed8, respectively.
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Milo Gladstein is a fifth-year senior majoring in journalism and media communications. He is currently serving as one of the two photo directors for the...
Garrett Mogel is a third-year journalism student with a second field in philosophy. He is one of two photo directors for the 2023-24 school year.
Growing...
Living • Feb 11, 2022 at 10:57 pm
Grayson is spot on, but most others in the slideshow seem to think that if speech is deemed offensive to someone that it is “sad” or should be limited. Having freedom of speech doesn’t have anything to do with manners or individual choice on how to show respect to others. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right and ultimately allows us to criticize government or big bullies and keep them in check. The moment you limit speech, it’s not free. The other end of the spectrum is mandating speech. There might be 50 shades in between, but at the end of the day you have to pick a side. Don’t pick Big Brother. Retain the right to “be wrong” and to be able to learn.
Living • Feb 11, 2022 at 11:01 pm
Brad Shurts Is spot on… (meant to say this, rather than Grayson)