Deal with dissent

Our freedom is being jeopardized, my friends. But not by any outside influence; rather, by our own inner fears. \nOn Dec. 6, the New York Times reported a controversy had erupted in Denver when a group that organizes the city's annual Parade of Lights event rejected a religiously-based float a church wanted to enter into the parade. The private, non-profit group that runs the parade, the Downtown Denver Partnership, made this decision based on a policy that establishes the event as a holiday event, not a Christmas event. But, why can't it be both?\nIn fact, it could be a Hanukkah event, a Kwanzaa event, a Christmas event or any other event that occurs during this special holiday season. Must our society be so politically correct and fearful of possibly offending someone that we watch everything we say or do? Do we really think so little of our fellow human beings that they can't be trusted to take dissenting opinions with a grain of salt? \nI sure hope not.\nWhat's even worse is that this unfortunate societal value of extreme political correctness is permeating into our education system. Recently, right here in Indiana, two high school journalism programs have been hurt by administrators who are fearful of possibly offending someone.\nNov 18, the Indianapolis Star reported that at Franklin Central High School south of Indianapolis, the newspaper adviser was removed from his position after his students printed an article about another student who had been arrested on murder charges. School administrators said that the teacher, Chad Tuley, was reprimanded because of possible privacy issues with interviewing teachers. They also claimed to be protecting the charged student's sister who attends the same school. According to the Student Press Law Center's report of the incident, the story didn't even include this information; rather, it was a simple news story with information from the police. \nReally, I think the school didn't want the bad publicity. It seems as if administrators were scared that they might offend someone.\nLate last week, northwest Indiana's The Times reported something similar had happened at Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind. The administration is holding the printing of the school's newspaper because of a package the students were producing on pregnancy, birth control and STDs. The administrators claim some of the articles were inaccurate and not properly researched; but again, it seems as if they were preventing very important material -- which might offend some in the extreme minority -- from reaching their students.\nIn a country where we pride ourselves on our freedoms, how can we allow our society to give them up? According to the 2004 State of the First Amendment survey released by the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center, 30 percent of those surveyed agreed that "the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees." Compared to two years ago, right after the Sept. 11 attacks, the number was 49 percent.\nGranted, we are doing better now. \nBut, 30 percent is still too high.\nWe must try to realize why the founding fathers felt that these freedoms were so important to be among the Bill of Rights -- they were important to sustaining a strong democracy. Thomas Jefferson said that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism." While we might not agree with a position, we must still allow it to be expressed. While I might not agree with what you say, I will protect and support your right to say it.\nThe current catchphrase in our society is "diversity." But the term should mean more than just race and gender. It should stand for the concept of true diversity, in all aspects, including ideas. Our system of freedoms is rooted in pluralism. That means not necessarily accepting a differing idea, but at least tolerating it and not giving in to fear.