Free speech has come under siege by overly sensitive young people on college campuses. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center has now codified the results.
40 percent of Millennials are in favor allowing government to prevent “statements that are offensive to minority groups.”
Overall, only 28 percent of Americans agreed with that statement.
Pew notes why the 40 percent figure is particularly noteworthy:
There is also a divide among race and political parties. Thirty-eight percent of non-whites agreeing that the government should limit offensive statements. Only 23 percent of non-Hispanic whites agree. Thirty-five percent of Democrats agree, compared to 27 percent of Independents and 18 percent of Republicans.
The survey was conducted worldwide and shows that “two-thirds of Americans say this, compared with a median of 35% among the 38 nations [they] polled.” The United States has also had a more free sense of free speech compared to other nations.
While a majority or even plurality of Millennials do not agree with limiting free speech, it is nevertheless an alarming percentage. And to use the government to limit free speech would likely be dangerous.
It is also worth wondering what, exactly, “offensive” means when it comes to speech. The term is subjective and not definable. And, why must only minorities be protected from speech? If government involvement is going to be employed, everyone might as well be protected.
