Petulant students need to get a grip
THE small number of students at Durham University who find even listening to an opinion that they disagree with ‘distressing’ need to get a grip. In a democracy, everyone is allowed an opinion and has the right to express it. If you don’t agree with a speaker’s opinion, you have options. These don’t include having a hissy fit and trying to get people sacked. This is just being flaky, petulant and shows a lack of sound judgment. A university education is wasted on those who can’t cobble together an intellectual response to someone expressing an opposing view. Thank goodness most young people are well able to debate their corner and recognise that freedom of speech must apply to everyone equally or it ceases to be a freedom at all.
G. MATTHEWS, Lancaster. WHAT will prospective employers think of students who believe only their immature views matter and no one else can offer an opinion? I am proud of my children’s hard work in achieving Master’s degrees, but worry about my grandchildren going to university.
J. BARRY, Bembridge, Isle of Wight. UNDER the Human Rights Act 1998, everyone has freedom of expression, which essentially means freedom of speech. It’s verging on the ridiculous that a bunch of witless wokes are unable to understand this concept and wish to deny this freedom to people they deem unworthy. If the students have another think about Rod Liddle’s right to express his views, they might just gain a modicum of respect from the public.
JEM TUGWOOD, Worthing, W. Sussex. DURHAM University says it’s committed to making it safe for its students. Safe from what? From hearing things that may offend their ears? How is another point of view harmful? You don’t have to agree, just understand that people can and will have differing views. Students have always protested, but what is happening now is aimed at eroding freedoms.
GARRY CARR, Yelland, Devon. WHAT a sad reflection of our times when universities are warning students that classic works by William Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens may contain death, murder, family betrayal and kidnapping. What overly sensitive, lilylivered snowflakes! Some of these mites will graduate to become lawyers, barristers and judges. Will they claim evidence of a grisly nature is inadmissible due to the fact it could be upsetting to listen to in court?