Ben Shapiro Censored to Protect Feelings

by. J.R. Holmsted

On Tuesday, Ben Shapiro, was interrupted mid-speech for saying things that might hurt student's feelings. Seriously. Through Young America's Foundation, Shapiro was addressing students at Otay Ranch High School outside San Diego.

What was his major infraction, might you ask? Saying that the perpetually poor mismanage money. An earth shattering analysis, I know.



Transcription of Assistant Principal, Dean Nafarette, explaining why he was interrupting:

“I’m at a point right now, where, quite frankly, I’m going to dismiss the students… With all due respect, Mr. Shapiro, Mr. Shapiro represents a narrative that he’s providing to all you guys based on his opinions, what he believes, what he wants to share with all of you. I know that the education was there for all of you to understand, the left side, right side, whatnot, but also the opportunity was allowed for him to impress some of his opinions on certain things… I think what this is getting into now, it’s starting to cross a line.”  
(See Breitbart for more)

This is indicative of who is educating our children. Hear something you don't like? Crossing the line! Uncomfortable assertions? Ignore them! Keep on keepin' on with our "safe" narratives!

This is disheartening to say the least. Let me acknowledge that they did allow Shapiro to continue to speak after close to half the students left. The message from the school's administration, however, was clear:

Dissenting opinions are to be disregarded. More so, you should be protected from them so they don't hurt your feelings. Heaven forbid you listen, look at your own situation, and think for yourself! 

I wish I could confidently say this is unusual. To the contrary. Academia is riddled with those that wish to stifle opposing views. For all their talk of education and tolerance, they mean to indoctrinate, not educate.

Full Disclosure: I was blessed enough to be able to attend YAF conferences in my summers as a college student. They provided me with a much needed outlet from my extremely liberal biased education at the University of Texas. I was able to listen to and meet people like Michelle Malkin, John Stossel, Walter Williams, Larry Elder, Robert Spencer, Michael Reagan, and Ben Stein. I stayed up until 5am in "bull sessions" with Jason Mattera and Patrick Coyle. It was among the best decisions I made in college, becoming a beer pong champion aside.

I willingly ask anyone to enlighten me of a time when a liberal speaker was treated with the same "courtesy." I spent a few minutes Googling and could not find one. Why have conservative speakers been so demonized by the supposedly progressive, open, and engaging people that run our education system?

I encourage you to find me an answer that is beyond suffocating our conservative views. I will condemn any that do the same to stifle liberal views, but I have yet to find any significant example.

We see this every day with the media. We owe our children more as they strive to secure an education for their future. Speak up. Continue to invite these "controversial" conservative speakers to your schools and hold the administrations that wish to censor them accountable. It's the least we can do.