Rule of Law

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is the simple fact that the rule of law has not been completely lost in America. Numerous higher education institutions fight against the right to free speech on their campuses. Their mantra seems to be that liberals can say or do whatever they please, but conservative speech and behavior is against the First Amendment. This may be changing because one institution is being held accountable for the words and actions of some of its students.

            In November 2016 a student at Oberlin College entered Gibson’s Bakery in Oberlin and stole a bottle of wine by hiding it inside his coat. Allyn Gibson, the great-great-grandson of the founder of the business, caught the thief and stated that he was going to call the police. He attempted to photograph the youth with his cell phone, but the thief slapped the phone out of his hand and ran out of the store with Gibson right behind him.

            The student and two of his friends attacked Gibson and had him flat on his back when the police arrived. There is a racial element to the situation because Gibson is white and all three youths are black. Therefore, other students protested the incident and accused the store of being racist. Even the Oberlin dean of students came to the protest. She said that it was to supervise, but she also handed out pamphlets. The school even cancelled its business with the bakery but resumed the arrangements later.

            The three youths pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges nine months later. They also read a statement recognizing that Gibson was justified in chasing after the youth and that his behavior was not racially motivated. The college claims that it is powerless in controlling the students and should not be held accountable for damages caused by the students. A jury thought otherwise and ruled that Oberlin holds some responsibility for encouraging its students to protest on false charges of racism. The college must pay $11.2 million to Gibson’s Bakery for damages of libel, slander, and other disruptions caused by the students.

            Oberlin is not the only college that believes it is protecting the students’ right to speak freely, but it may be one of the first to file bankruptcy because of the jury’s decision. Universities and colleges have the responsibility to provide a place and neutral atmosphere where ideas can be freely debated without anyone feeling threatened or being assaulted.  

            Liberal institutions across the nation are not doing so. In fact, they have a political agenda and indoctrinate their students with their liberal ideas. Then they encourage their students to support their left-wing agenda. Maybe it is a good thing for Oberlin to be forced to close by bankruptcy. Maybe other institutions will recognize the need for them to be more neutral in their teaching. We can only hope that some eyes will be opened by the decision.