The University provided the community with the Free Expression Tunnel to combat graffiti and express itself by saying what it wants when it wants since the 1960s. It was rocked in 2008 when a threatening message was written about then President-elect Barack Obama. Although the University did not shut the tunnel down, it made the University aware prejudices still existed. A similar incident happened again Tuesday night when “I am…” statements from the GLBT Center were painted over with derogatory terms used to describe gays. The University has not officially responded to the paintings, but the incident has caused the issue of the tolerance of diversity on campus to come into question.

The paintings, whether the painters think so or not, are reflective of the animosity and intolerance in the community. Everyone is not always going to agree on whether something is right or wrong, but there is a certain level of respect expected when expressing opinions.

Ultimately, the Free Expression Tunnel is not a forum for hate speech, nor is N.C. State’s campus. Painting anything in the tunnel that makes people feel unwelcome will not be tolerated and shouldn’t be on a campus that wants to be open to diversity. The freedom of speech is violated when it conflicts with other’s values or rights in the form of hate speech and the limitation of rights. People who choose to paint the tunnel should consider this and the University’s policy that prohibits harassment regarding race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identity, creed, disability or veteran status.

While no one is suggesting the University shut down the Free Expression Tunnel, anyone who paints it must remember it is a privilege. For anyone who wants to paint the tunnel, do so with thought. The campus community, and all others who stand for the freedom of speech, does not want the University to shut down the tunnel because someone is abusing the privilege of being able to paint what they want by being irresponsible and overly harassing a group or an individual.

At the end of the day, we can all paint over the graffiti, but we cannot deny someone their opinions on either side. With thought, free speech should reign the tunnel, but hate speech and harassment is unacceptable. N.C. State’s campus is diverse, whether or not we are aware of it, and is expected to be welcoming to those from all walks of life and creed. This should be acknowledged on both sides for a healthy environment to exist.