EDITORS' CORNER
OPINION
It’s hard to find examples of conservative students protesting a new progressive club on campus. But when it comes to conservative efforts, protests abound.
The latest example happened Tuesday at Northwestern Michigan College where protesters gathered to oppose a new Turning Point USA chapter, UpNorthLive reports. The conservative student group’s first meeting was Tuesday.
“I don’t feel safe with TPUSA,” one protester’s sign read.
“Protesters describe themselves as anti-fascist community members and call TPUSA a hate group,” 9 and 10 News reports. Several dozen showed up, including both students and community members, UpNorthLive reports.
In an effort to head off any possible disruptions, college administrators set up a “Temporary Designated Free Speech Zone” outside the building where the club meeting was held, according to 9 and 10 News.
“There are some limitations on free speech,” Todd Neibauer, the college’s director of student groups, told the news outlet. “There’s time and place, and disrupting another activity of another group is not one of those places where you get to.”
Inside the zone, protesters held signs that read: “Jesus would stand here with us!” and “Free speech [doesn’t equal] hate speech”; one protester was wrapped up in a LGBTQ “rainbow” flag, according to photos from local news outlets.
In contrast, students leading the new conservative club emphasized the importance of free speech for all – including the protesters with whom they disagreed.
“No one should feel afraid to speak their beliefs,” Breanna, the chapter’s president, said in her opening speech, according to UpNorthLive.
Unfortunately, many conservative students have to challenge themselves not to give into that very real fear.
The College Fix’s Campus Cancel Culture Database lists dozens upon dozens of examples where student groups faced protests — and worse — for voicing their beliefs. They have been silenced, harassed, vandalized, threatened, and more.
The absolute worst of cancel culture happened last year when TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk was killed for his beliefs while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Yet, the tragedy has only inspired even more conservative students to stand up for their beliefs. Last fall, TPUSA reported a massive 62,000 requests to start new campus chapters in the wake of Kirk’s assassination. Northwestern Michigan College’s is just one example.
As these new student groups get started, more cancel culture incidents are likely in the coming months.
To be clear, the problem isn’t protests; students have a right to protest. But the protest on Tuesday was a symptom of a larger problem: intolerance toward conservative views and students’ right to express them.
The good news is that conservative students’ courage in the face of resistance is making them stronger. And that’s an excellent reason to hope.
MORE: ‘Courage and community’: Students find hope in new TPUSA chapters after Kirk assassination
