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You are correct, it is illegal to shout "fire" in a crowded theater. It will also get me in trouble if I threaten to beat up my ex-boyfriend, tell someone to kill my next door neighbor, or state falsely on TV that George Bush is the father of my love child. Basically, the Supreme Court has ruled that certain speech has consequences (such as people being trampled to death as they rush for the exits when there really isn't a fire), and those consequences are unacceptable. I have the right to speak freely, but I also have the right not to be trampled to death.
But again, this isn't about free speech! If my sorority were to march up and down Main Street in favor of white supremacy, we would be within our rights as individuals (and as a group, if we got the right permits for assembly). But the university could still refuse to recognize us. Or HQ could still pull our charter.
Think of this parallel: I have the right (or I would if I were old enough) to run for president on a fascist platform. But the GOP and Democratic parties are under no obligation to make me their candidate. Part of the deal is, to be the Democratic candidate, you have to have a belief system supported by the Democratic party. School recognition is also contingent on certain qualifications, one of which is "don't be a bunch of insensitive racist jerks," although no doubt stated much more formally.
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Alpha Xi Delta
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