Yet again, President Obama has shown a willingness to defend the rights of students on college campuses to speak and ask questions, even when what they have to say is in opposition to the prevailing sentiments on campus.
In an interview with National Public Radio, Obama said that students should “feel free to disagree with somebody, but don’t try to just shut them up.”
He brought up the examples of Condoleezza Rice and the director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, who withdrew from college speaking engagements after students who didn’t like their views complained. Obama suggested engaging in debate with those who share different beliefs and even suggested to not automatically judge them for thinking differently.
“If somebody doesn’t believe in affirmative action, they may disagree — you may disagree with them. I disagree with them, but have an argument with them,” Obama said. “It is possible for somebody not to be racist and want a just society but believe that that is something that is inconsistent with the Constitution. And you should engage.”
Obama said that it could be “unhealthy” for students on the left and the right to want to shut down opposing viewpoints, but restated his commitment to campus activism.
“So my concern is not whether there is campus activism. I think that’s a good thing. But let kids ask questions and let universities respond,” Obama said. “What I don’t want is a situation in which particular points of view that are presented respectfully and reasonably are shut down, and we have seen that sometimes happen.”
This is the third time since September that Obama has made such a statement. In mid-November he told ABC host George Stephanopoulos that he didn’t want students “to think that a display of your strength is simply shutting other people up” and urged students to engage with those they disagree with.
And in September at a town hall event, Obama told students that he didn’t believe they had “to be coddled and protected from different points of view.”
He also, at both events, bemoaned the protests against college speakers with opposing views.
