The latest controversy surrounding NYU is the recent article published on Forbes.com by Stern professor Tunku Varadarajan, in which he uses the term "going Muslim" (derived from "going postal"), essentially equating Islam with insanity.
These insensitive remarks have riled many students, and while derided by WSN, this paper also stated in its editorial: "We believe that every viewpoint from students, faculty and administration is just as valid as any other."
This reasoning is not just severely flawed, but it is also dangerous. There seems to be a belief by WSN, and by President Sexton and Stern dean Thomas Cooley — who refuse to sanction Varadarajan — that all opinions are equally valid. While the validity of an opinion cannot be quantifiably measured, it is the case that we as a society and as individuals hold some opinions in higher esteem than others.
If an NYU faculty member said the Fort Hood shooter was justified in killing his colleagues, is that opinion just as valid as saying he wasn't? If an NYU faculty member said the 9/11 attacks were justifiable, is that opinion just as valid as saying they weren't? Any reasonable person would agree that such opinions are objectionable. And while one might argue that these are extremes compared to this professor's remarks, it shows that we do in fact draw a line somewhere. This line may be located differently from person to person, but there is nothing wrong with saying an opinion crosses the line and is objectionable. In short, while all people may be created equally, not all their opinions are.
As this paper reported, Cooley "would not rebuke Varadarajan's column because doing so would defy the notion of free speech." This is another error.
While I would fully support a person's right to voice the opinion that Osama bin Laden is a hero, this does not mean that I don't have a right to repudiate it. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from criticism. The First Amendment to our Constitution relates to laws passed by our government, and I certainly do not think that professor Varadarajan should be punished in any way by law for what he said. However, we have the right, as a community, to call his comment bigoted and insensitive. He has a right to free speech, but so do we, and we should not be afraid to use it.
In the words of Gandhi, "Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit." This is where I draw my line in the sand, and I hope others follow. I do not tolerate intolerance. Tolerating intolerance only breeds more intolerance. I do not believe it is an acceptable opinion to hold that anyone is less of a human being because of who he or she is. And I will not be afraid to call out anyone who says otherwise. True democratic spirit does not derive from sitting back and letting any moron talk his or her mouth off. We need to fight intolerant speech with better speech, not acceptance.
