As we are sure you are all painfully aware, Richard Spencer, a notorious white supremacist, will be coming to our campus to speak Thursday. While writing this editorial, we at the Alligator are feeling a bit conflicted. Should we be giving Spencer attention? Should people speak out in protest or ignore the hate? Does Spencer have a right to speak at all? We’ve watched as many newspaper editorial boards defended the First Amendment and Spencer’s right to speak. We’ve also heard from countless UF students and faculty members who don’t feel safe on their own campus this Thursday. To those who feel unsafe: We hear you. We struggle to find a world where free speech means it’s OK to encourage others to partake in racism with a violent past, present and future.
Nonetheless, we believe the First Amendment is important. If hate is banned, who decides on which speech is “hateful enough?” Honestly, we don’t know. What we do know is that Spencer’s presence has incited violence, and his ideologies have lead to the death of a protester in Charlottesville, Virginia. This threat hasn’t gone away just because a few months have passed and UF has thrown hundreds of thousands of dollars to security.
UF has explained that although classes haven’t been canceled, students who feel unsafe coming to campus Thursday should contact their professors directly. What we were told is this: “Faculty are asked to be understanding with students on a case-by-case basis.” To us, this isn’t enough.
We deserve confirmation that we don’t need to choose between our education and our safety. We need to know if we feel uncomfortable on campus that day, our grades won’t suffer. We need to know professors who won’t allow us to stay home are going to be reprimanded. We need to know UF cares about us and our safety.
The fact is, all of us value our education. To tell a student they have the “option” to skip class is not a valid option. If you stay home because you’re scared for your safety, class is still going on. You could miss something your professor says that will later end up on an exam. You could miss an important question asked by another student you never would have thought of. You could miss information or instructions about upcoming projects and homework that might not be repeated.
Sure, you could email the professor and attend office hours to make sure you fully understand the material taught on the day of your absence. But why are students being forced to go out of their way to ensure they receive their full education as well as remain safe? To us, it’s appalling that UF is forcing students to make this type of decision.
We can understand where UF is coming from on its decision. UF is trying to appear strong when faced with an oppressor. It’s trying to show Spencer his visit hasn’t impacted our day-to-day life at UF and we, as a university, aren’t scared of him. It’s a great idea, but only in theory.
Our No. 1 priority should be that students feel safe and valued while on campus. By only giving students the “option” to skip class, UF is indirectly providing the majority with a better opportunity. The students who need to stay home aren’t going to be the straight white males whom Spencer wants to build his army out of. The students who are struggling with the decision of whether to miss a day of their education or risk their safety are minorities who are already being undervalued, overlooked and shifted when it comes to opportunities.
UF, we expected better from you.
