The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as a means to “advance human knowledge, educate leaders and cultivate an informed citizenry.” However, in recent days, the radical Left at Jefferson’s university have worked tirelessly to dismantle the principles of democracy that Jefferson fought so hard for, attempting to cancel a visit from Vice President Mike Pence to the university.
Just recently, the editorial board of the school’s newspaper, the Cavalier Daily, stated, “Speech that threatens the lives of those on Grounds is unjustifiable.” This was their response to Young Americans for Freedom hosting the former vice president for a completely nonthreatening speech on April 12. In their editorial titled “Dangerous Rhetoric is Not Entitled to a Platform,” the Cavalier Daily editors, under the leadership of the daughter of a Virginia state senator, assert that “Pence’s presence on Grounds signifies a tolerance of rhetoric that has already harmed our community.”
What possible basis is there for calling Pence’s speech harmful? Will Pence be inciting criminal activity?
Of course not. But it should not surprise us that some on the far Left will characterize disagreement with their bad ideas as a form of violence. One first-year student went so far as to say Pence’s presence could cause suicide in her opinion editorial titled “Rescind Mike Pence’s Speaking Offer.”
The anti-constitutional rhetoric of the Cavalier Daily is nothing new. In fall 2021, YAF hosted Texas Rep. Chip Roy and National Review editor Rich Lowry at the University of Virginia for a presentation called “In Defense of Jefferson.” In response, the Cavalier Daily went so far as to say that YAF “upholds the legacies of white supremacists.” Banners were stripped in a criminal incident of vandalism and marked with the phrase “Racists Defending Rapists.” A letter-writing campaign was also initiated in an effort to force the cancellation of the event.
For YAF’s attempts to promote the principles of individual freedom, free enterprise, a strong national defense, and traditional values, we have been persecuted by the radical Left.
It is no surprise that the Left works to cancel our constitutionally protected events. Self-proclaimed social justice advocates have a history of disobeying the Constitution and attempting to abridge the rights of others, especially at the University of Virginia. A student senator who calls herself the “the princess of Charlottesville” has attempted to create a “strike system” for professors, going as far as erroneously alleging that “hate speech” is not protected under the Constitution.
As the chairman of YAF at the University of Virginia, I pride myself on fighting for the principles of freedom alongside everyone within the organization, despite “woke” leftist tactics.
We as conservatives are being canceled for discussing our beliefs in the classroom, yet liberals are praised for using even tyrannical tactics, so long as it is under the guise of “diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
If the Cavalier Daily’s editorial board’s comments tell us anything of substance at all, it is that they, more than anyone, need to come and hear Pence speak. Their fear of perspectives other than their own sets a dangerous precedent in increasing the political divide that already exists. We must learn to come together, hear from perspectives different than our own, and discuss them.
We are hosting Pence in order to bring about a renewed sense of intellectual diversity on our grounds and to give the student body an opportunity to hear from a prominent conservative voice — something desperately needed at UVA.
Nick Cabrera is the chairman of Young Americans for Freedom at the University of Virginia.
