Eenie, meanie, mynie, MO!

Word in today's New York Times that a gaggle of constitutional scholars have (has?) announced that the web-posted video of white University of Oklahoma student members of the SAE fraternity and friends singing a vile racist ditty on a party bus is protected speech, protected by the First Amendment. Well, of course it's protected speech here in the US of A. Some of our forefathers made that deal and we all live with it. You got a problem with that?

Yup. Saying racist things IS protected by the Constitution. So is denying history or calling for the overthrow of the government or burning the flag after peeing on it. Isn't that AWFUL? There's no law against it! Can't be in this country---only in France and Germany and every other country that claims to honor "freedom of expression"! Does anyone see the smug little SAE jerks being led away in handcuffs?

"Little Black Sambo and his mother Black Mumbo," John Rae Neil 1908

But publicly self-identifying as a racist (or being "outed" as one) can have consequences. AND IT SHOULD. A great university is within its rights to exclude from its population people regarded as socially so retrograde and destructive as to hinder the operation and mission of the university, right? Overt, committed racists in a public university would seem to me to fit that bill. Is that who these idiots are?

Freedom of speech means you have the right to speak or publish or signify without being silenced or imprisoned by the governing authority.  Read the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law..."   It does not mean people are obliged to stand silent or even to applaud. Or give you a job--ever. If you insult someone's beliefs or her mother's religion and that someone decides to punch you in the nose or burn your newspaper down, then that person is guilty of a range of felonies and will go to prison. The system works FINE. And you can burn that flag as long as you bought and paid for it.

So give the OK gentlemen their grade transcripts and send them on their way...

OR, treat this as a teachable moment and follow the suggestion of several African-American commentators who have counseled an attempt at dialogue and possible forgiveness (both students and their families have been vociferous in their expressions of shame, embarrassment, regret and apology) before invoking the "nucular" option. Or don't.  Also, ask yourself if you have ever drunk a snoot-full and sung lyrics you wouldn't want hung around your neck like the proverbial dead chicken?  I rest my case. Almost...

                                  Mom's  after-school snack and object lesson, 1955                         ChappiePic

"Eenie meanie mynie Mo, catch a NI--- by his toe!"  I sang it to my Mom ONCE, aged 6, and I can taste the ensuing soap sandwich yet.  She taught me the Golden Rule, as well.

Teach your children well, OK?