While it may not affect us high school students at the moment, what students can and cannot say on college campuses is a pressing matter in schools across the country. Controversial event after controversial event, from a school newspaper criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement to a lecturer at Yale saying that administration should not dictate what Halloween costumes are too insensitive for students, constantly intensify the debate over whether certain acts of “hate speech” should be prevented on college campuses. Even the Warrior staff has a difficult time deciding on definitive grounds of what speech is protected under the First Amendment in colleges.

One thing is absolutely clear. Whether or not it is permitted on college grounds, “hate speech” is comments that are blatantly racist, sexist or homophobic, directed at a specific individual or group, and exists for the sole purpose of being offensive. These hateful comments may also incite violence. The controversy lies in how the colleges’ administration should react to instances of offensive or hateful speech. While some argue that administration should prevent offensive speech in order to ensure the safety of students and maintain a respectful environment, others believe that schools should do nothing at all, as that speech is protected under the First Amendment and that students should not be sheltered from speech that makes them feel uncomfortable. Administration should possibly step in only if there is a credible threat of violence as a result or if the learning environment is disrupted.

Given certain hypothetical examples of hateful speech, there is a controversy over how the school administration should respond. For example, if a group of students chant “Islam Kills” at a rally, some believe that the school should immediately shut down the rally and punish the students involved. On the other hand, others argue that the school should do nothing because the rally is protected under free speech, and they have every right to chant, as wrong as the speech may be. It may also be best to meet halfway by closely monitoring the rally, stepping in only if there is violence as a result.

Current seniors will very soon find themselves in the college students’ positions, so it is important for them to understand the debate over free speech, and what they should do when they find a case of hurtful speech on their future campuses. When faced with a racist, sexist, or otherwise hateful comment, there are many things college students could do in response. If they feel that the safety of the school is at risk, they may choose to report the offensive speech to a teacher or administrator, or possibly start a peaceful, non-accusatory protest of the overall issue. Otherwise, it may just be best to ignore the hate and move on.