The University is reviewing a social media post of a student posing next to a monkey hung from a noose swinging from a fan. This post has caused an uproar on campus, on social media and within the student body. The interpretation of the post as offensive has garnered viral attention, and the University is evaluating the post to decide on a course of action, if any.
The University should not be allowed to punish the student for her appearance in a post by a woman who isn’t a student. This post demonstrates her right to freedom of speech. Whether or not the post is offensive does not change the fact that she possesses the right to pose next to or post what she chooses.
The problem with censorship on social media is expanding. There have been multiple examples throughout the past few years where people have expressed their rights to freedom of speech on media outlets.
Kathy Griffin is a prime example of the right to use social media as one pleases. She expressed her views in a gory, offensive way; yet, this post was completely her right as an American citizen. Her post contained a gory representation of President Donald Trump, which in other countries could have constituted arrest or even execution. Yet, in America she did not receive these punishments. Her post was interpreted as offensive in many ways, just as this student’s was. However, it is both of their rights to express their opinions in their own manners.
To censor one’s social media or even appearance in a social media post is ludicrous, and if the University considers doing so, it will be an attack on her rights. The student did not post this controversial Snapchat, she just appeared in it. It is her right to pose however she pleases in a photo.
The interpretation of this Snapchat is completely subjective. Though I believe everyone would agree the interpretation is offensive, it is still a subjective interpretation. If the offensive post was posted by someone other than a white female, then the outcome would have been less severe. Our society holds a double standard when it comes to defining things as “offensive.”
The student body at the University can do better when it comes to being inclusive and appreciative of diversity. However, punishing a student for expressing her opinion, regardless of whether or not it is offensive, is wrong.
It is the right of those offended to post how they feel about the subject matter. But, the University has no right to punish the student in any way for expressing her opinion. Her opinion is her opinion, and it is unlawful to marginalize this student for her personal opinions and appearances in Snapchat posts.
Britany Diefenderfer is a 20-year-old English literature junior from Thibodaux, Louisiana.