Recently, the Ball State University College Republicans put up fliers around campus regarding the Democratic primaries. As Alex Carroll noted in his column Monday, the fliers were torn down during the following weekend. If this was the work of angry liberals, as Al thinks, it indicates that there are some bratty liberals on campus. Why would anyone want to tear down an honest attempt at communicating a desire? Could it be, as Al seems to think, fear?
Fear is certainly a possible motivator. I know I'm afraid that there will be four or eight more years of Republican rule, which is certainly the last thing the country needs right now. But why would fear move someone to take down posters that don't do anything? That's quite a petty expression of fear. Not to mention a waste of time and energy that could be used to fight against the well-oiled Republican electoral machine to try to sway the hearts and minds of the right wing.
Instead of tearing down other people's expressions, there other ways of combating them, and they are ultimately more productive and rewarding than trying to suppress others' speech.
One potential method is to fight fire with fire. Counter a poster campaign with posters, counter soundbite with soundbite, pithy quote with pithy quote and oversimplification with oversimplification. Of course, that runs into a serious problem if you're intellectually honest: it's simply dishonest to indulge in such propaganda. While that's politics for you (because of the millisecond-average American attention span), it's not a good way to get to the bottom of issues, and it will only convince intellectually shallow people.
The other method is to fight fire with water. Counter a poster campaign with eloquent, thought-out arguments, point out every ridiculous caricature and oversimplification and reduce the oppositions' arguments to the absurdities they are. This option is much more flexible; it's a great way to figure out the truth of a given matter, and, if done right, it will convince smart people. The problem is that it takes actual effort and time to research the issues and make sure the arguments presented are coherent. Lazy people need not apply; it's much easier to throw together a few slogans and feel-good quotes without giving it any thought than to write 2,000 words of careful analysis supporting a good claim.
Heaven knows Al and I disagree about pretty much everything else, but on this issue I stand with him: the removal of the College Republicans' posters is an expression of petulant immaturity. There's no good to be had in suppressing the speech of people you disagree with; it kills dialogue and only feeds the conservative persecution complex. Instead, invite them to say their piece, and then argue with them. Let the exposure of their ridiculous arguments shut them up, or, as the case may be, let the fire of debate expunge from you any absurd positions you hold.
Attempting to stop them from expressing their views will not only backfire in an age of free information flow, but it will also make your position look like it has no defense and no recourse but to stifle the opposition. And if you are liberal, that is certainly not true.
Write to Neal at necoleman@bsu.edu
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