Derek Bok

As America continues to expand, racial groups begin to grow and expand. It was not too long ago when two students from Harvard University decided to hang two flags on their windows, that displayed hatred to 2 certain groups of people, which was a major outbreak and continued to question the freedom of speech of certain people. Derek Bok, a former president, wrote about this incident in an article titled, "Protecting Freedom of Expression on the Campus." The article discusses the student body's actions as well as how to deal with offensive speakers like these two Harvard students when shown offensive symbols. Bok argues that although the flags which represent supremacy of certain groups of people may have been viewed as offensive, however, if

Censoring is dangerous because it is hard to decide whether the information is a form of communication or whether it's very offensive. He also goes on to say that "if we begin to forbid flags, it is only a short step to prohibiting offensive speakers," which suggests that eliminating the flags would cause more problems because we are getting rid of the negative people.
The second reason why Bok argues that is because it prohibits people from their freedom of speech. Derek states that "Under the Supreme Court's rulings, as I read them, the display of swastikas or Confederate flags clearly falls within the protection of the free-speech clause of the First Amendment and cannot be forbidden," which proves that censoring offensive speakers is not right. Although it may be an extremist act, it protects those from the right to speak.
Lastly, Bok argues that instead of creating such a big fuss about these flags and starting a war, that these flags should just be ignored. He states that "Rather than prohibit such communications… others" which implies that the wise ones know that instead of resolving to conflict, that you should resolve by speaking to them and understanding their