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Hanson Misses the Point on University Free Speech

Ottawa Sun: 11 May 2024

Victor Davis Hanson’s recent article, “can the current universities be saved?” offers numerous bold statements on the sad state of America’s youth but no supporting evidence. Apparently the mere words of this classics scholar and political commentator are sufficient to convince readers.

Hanson employs the political rather than literal meaning of words like radical and extremist. While partly-valid, his critique of academia’s, “self-perpetuating radical ideologies” and “racial quotas” is devoid of context or historical background.

Hanson has harsh words for foreign students from oppressive regimes who, “…see their new-found freedoms as invitations to attack America.” Again, he offers no historical context to explain the behaviour of young people from U.S. – backed dictatorships or those nations suffering under American bombs and drones. Public protest is not an attack but a moderate response to smart bombs and Hellfire missiles.

Perhaps the loud protests of foreign students might inspire American youth to question their government’s global behaviour. Hanson should be encouraging these young people whose courage he mistakes for reckless abuse of freedom.