Adding a voice to the chorus

Adding a voice to the growing chorus, let me observe that the university and college censorship trend is quite disturbing.  Under the guise of preventing students from hearing or reading something that may be "hurtful," it seems academia (both instructors and administrators) is diligently endeavoring to wrap a cocoon around the brains of their impressionable students, concurrent with an indoctrination of entitled victimization.  Apart from academia's questionable definition of hurtful, their efforts, perhaps politically motivated, are both absurd and endangering.

Absurd, because in today's electronic world, ideas and thoughts can not be completely filtered.  (Nor should they be.)  There is no way for academia to totally block out thoughts and ideas it self-righteously determines to be unworthy of discussion on campus.  With virtually every student glued to a mobile communications device, the thoughts and ideas are out there.  (As an aside, it is not surprising to learn academia is seeking to block some social media, under the guise of preventing "hateful," "racist," and "sexist" language.  That such language originates from the students is apparently not the issue to academia)  The current censorship is also absurd because it is exactly the opposite of that what academia demands as they offer ridiculous courses, commentary, and demands: academic freedom and free speech.  As absurd as the new censorship is, the greatest threat is how it endangers the students.

Preventing those with opposing views from speaking, demanding "trigger warnings,"  perpetuating segregation of thought and speech, limiting free speech to certain designated geographic locations on campus, and other misguided actions do a tremendous disservice to the students, by failing to prepare them for reality.

Does academia really believe they can protect students from something academia defines as "hurtful?"  From anything that may provide the basis for offense?  Totally impossible!  With more than 300,000,000 people in America, somewhere, someone is taking offense to something said or done by someone else, no matter how innocuous or disconnected.  That is simply part of the human experience.  We do not all agree, a fact we should celebrate.  Academia's ridiculous assumption that life can be made otherwise ignores reality.  Not all people share all the same views, nor should they.

But people can choose to take offense at all manner of things, major-to-minor-to-ridiculous.  The color of a shirt.  The type of vehicle one drives.  The music one prefers.  The movies one likes.  The weight of someone.  The height of someone else.  This or that type of food.  Political views.  The list is endless.  The key is not, as academia would have us believe, an offense or disagreement, but rather how informed and intelligent people react.  

If you don't like a particular type of music, don't listen to it.  If someone is spouting what you consider drivel, ignore him/her.  The choice is yours.  But it is an unwise choice for academia to attempt to wrap students in such a false cocoon, because it actually endangers their futures.

As that recent student enters the workplace, he/she will be unprepared to deal with reality, the friction occurring within human relationships.  If the boss demands they show up for work, prepared and on time, or face negative consequences, the recent student can't claim offense.  If the person two cubicles down legally states (exercising free speech) an opposing few, the recent student can't demand the individual only do so is a designated "free speech zone."  (Note to academia: the entirety of our nation is a designated free speech zone.)  If the recent student fails to perform his/her job and employment is terminated, the recent student can't cry foul at the "hurtful" action.  If the recent student happens upon a parade celebrating our veterans, he/she can't claim injury due to being indoctrinated that the military is evil.

Ill prepared by the current censorship trend on the campuses of our universities and colleges, once the student depart they will not be ready to take on the world, to overcome challenges, to ignore the trivial in pursuit of greatness, forsake complaints in favor of happiness.  Rather, it is feared recent students will flounder without the necessary skills for adaptation and acceptance.

Colleges and universities should be where tolerance and coping skills are acquired and refined.  Deal with the uncomfortable.  Reason with the absurd argument.  Toughen one's character. 

For crying out loud, if anywhere should be a haven for the exchange of controversial and different views, it should be the campus of a university or college.