Sunday, November 5, 2017

Week 7 - Janine Macaraeg

Janine Macaraeg
Section A01
Week 7

In “Berkeley Free Speech Movement: Paving the way for campus activism” by Robby Cohen and “The Coddling of the American Mind” by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt I feel were almost opposites of each other. Both articles discussed mental health issues and about student activism but took different perspectives. Cohen gave an example about how the act of standing up for your rights makes an impact for the future generation while Lukianoff and Haidt talked more in detail about what us as students should do and how the university can help students and their mental health. I found the latter very interesting because I’m not well informed about trigger warnings and how serious it is. And all the information written I find it to be very helpful. From what I’ve observed myself, I think that most people aren’t afraid to speak their minds especially when it’s something like a value or belief that they stand for. But from Lukianoff and Haidt’s article, they explained how the culture today where everyone has to “think twice before speaking up” due to unforeseen situations that may offend someone else. Their article made me wonder, how careful do we really have to be? Because they make a point that we’re never really going to agree with every single thing that someone else says regarding any issue. “Hypersensitivity” was a good concept that was brought up as well because it isn’t good for our mental health or one’s well being. I think that mental health is such a big issue these days because people are ignorant. Sure, we all may be sensitive to something, but there needs to be more openness and that “safe space” that everyone’s opinions and thoughts will be respected.

Leading into the “Berkeley Free Speech Movement,” student activism won’t be possible today if we nurture that hypersensitivity attitude. The students who were a part of this big demonstration are great role models and leaders because they showed courage and strength in a time where that was frowned up; a time when they were supposed to be silent. There are so many different political views this day and age; I believe that if we feel that if we want to be heard and understood, that needs to be reciprocated despite others having opposing views.


References:

Cohen, R. (1985). Berkeley Free Speech Movement: Paving the Way for Campus Activism. OAH Magazine of History. Retrieved November 4, 2017.

Lukianoff, G., & Haidt, J. (2015). “The Codding of the American Mind.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company. Retrived November 4, 2017.

McKee, Rick. n.d. [Digital Image]. Retrieved November 5, 2017 from, http://www.independent.com/news/2017/feb/26/how-free-free-speech/.

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