Quote:
Originally posted by littleangel2017
hey everyone,
Hope you all are having a WONDERFUL summer, anyhow this thread is in concern with censoring shirts for sorority/fraternity members. Our panhellenic council has proposed this agreement for all sororities to censor their shirts. the agreement goes something like this: (before you read, this agreement has yet to be passed and voted on, but it's in the workings):
In an effort to protect the public image of the Panhellenic Council, the member chapters at USF hereby agree to adhere to a high standard of professionalism through selecting and producing tasteful slogans and graphics on all event themed shirts and publicity, examples of inappropriate content include, but are not limited to, use of foul language, derogatory vocabulary, or references to alcohol, drugs, or sex.
|
Just for the record, this is not censorship, at least not as you have described it. Censorship, properly speaking, is when someone with authority in an official position (eg, the government or the university) examines books, films, or other material and to remove or suppress what is considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable. It can also be applied in military situations for the examination of personal mail and official dispatches to remove information considered secret or a risk to security. What you have described is a voluntary agreement to abide by certain rules. Since what you have posted says "the member chapters . . . hereby agree," I assume that it means that each chapter will choose to be part of this agreement or not. Even if it is just a majority vote of the PC, however, it is still not true censorhip -- it just becomes the (possibly unenforceable) rule of an umbrella organization for its member organizations.
Quote:
|
do you think it violates our right to free speech?
|
No way. Only the government can violate your right to free speech, because the First Amendment only applies to the government. It does not apply to private groups like a college Panhellenic Council.
So, this is not censorship not a violation of free speeck. Whether it is a good idea or not is a different matter.