Louisana Becomes First State to Pass Law Protecting Free Speech

Ironically, in a state known for it's fast talking double talking politicians, the state of Louisiana has just enacted a bill that will forever allow the First Amendment Rights of their students to remain undamaged. Specifically, they updated the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 specifically to address a growing concern around the nation that our college campuses are being run by people who oppose free speech. Of course the excuses given are something that has become tired and stale. And that is to create free speech zones and safe spaces on campuses in case some students feel offended.

Specifics for the new policy are that an authority over campuses about what constitutes free speech and its enforcement of that right will be addressed. Does this mean that each campus in Louisiana will now have a new employee whose job it is to advocate for student's right to free speech?

So, the attempted take over of college aged student's minds by an agenda driven silencing of free speech has seemed to have been shown the door by Louisiana lawmakers. And the law is very specific about what is protected. The first item that is protected in the new law, is "Expressive Activities". And it goes on to define "expressive activities" as "lawful
verbal or written means by which individuals or groups communicate ideas to
one another".

Ironically, it was LSU that the hit comedy film Animal House was based on. And the legendary stories of the parties that go on at Louisana Schools have spilled into mainstream culture. It is New Orleans after all that is known as the Big Easy. And the entire state has a vibe about it that lures people from all over the world for it's hospitality and relaxed attitude toward excesses of imbibing.

Of course now, you have to wonder if out of state tuition at these schools will go up. As Americans become increasingly aware of the issues of the anti-Free Speech movement on college campuses, will parents choose to send their children to a school where their right to free speech is protected by law?

The very idea of college is to learn about how to cope with the world and bring forth a skill set to help a student become part of the workforce. And allowing "safe zones" to shield students from free speech only lessens their ability to cope in a country of massive diversity. How much longer will parents pay high tuition costs at colleges that enforce a policy that weakens a students effectiveness in the workforce?

Another thing to consider is that our First Amendment Right to Free Speech was important enough to come at the top of the Bill of RIghts,. Will we yet see an amendment to the First Amendment on a Federal level? When you consider the this conversation is happening in 2018 and look back on rather recent world history, it's ironic that only after a few decades of the Berlin Wall toppling and the USSR becoming a democratic Russia that we are having to now pass laws in the USA to protect free speech. Who knows? Maybe the lost art of debate will spread like wildfire across college campuses. And instead of lashing out with violence and proving you have no argument, students will instead find keen insight into each other's point of view.