Fanning the Flames: When Restricting Free Speech Backfires
As anyone familiar with college students, especially those passionate about sports, knows, there’s a surefire way to guarantee they’ll take action: tell them they’re not allowed to do something. This phenomenon recently played out at Purdue University, where the athletic department sent a stern email to its student section, known as the Paint Crew Members.
A Team in Crisis
The email was likely prompted by the dismal performance of Purdue’s football team under Coach Ryan Walters. With a record of 1-8 in his second season, the team’s struggles are undeniable. To make matters worse, their arch-rival Indiana is enjoying a stellar 10-0 season, led by Coach Curt Cignetti, who was available to coach at Purdue when Walters was hired. It’s no wonder fans are frustrated.
Silencing Dissent
Instead of addressing the root causes of the team’s woes, the athletic department opted to stifle criticism from the student section. The email reminded students that “mean words” wouldn’t be tolerated, implying that the department is more concerned with protecting the feelings of its staff than with acknowledging the team’s shortcomings. This approach is misguided, as it only serves to further antagonize already disgruntled fans.
The Power of Defiance
If the Paint Crew Members have any backbone, they’ll respond to this censorship by printing “Fire Walters” or “Fire [Athletic Director]” shirts and wearing them to the upcoming game against Yale. At the 15-minute mark in the first half, they could remove their overshirts and start a chant that echoes through Mackey Arena. While it’s unclear if all Purdue fans share this sentiment, the university’s decision to send the email suggests that enough of them do.
A Call to Action
In principle, when an institution tries to silence dissenting voices, those voices must be amplified. The university’s attempt to stifle criticism only serves to galvanize opposition. As Anthony B. Lennen would attest, you can’t be silenced by an email if you want to achieve success. Respectable programs don’t prioritize protecting administrators’ feelings over addressing their failures. It’s time for the Paint Crew Members to take a stand and make their voices heard.
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