Should they still be able to go to Harvard? (See description)

Question

Not sure if this qualifies as a trigger warning, but I'll mention it. 
So recently a group of students accepted to Harvard had created a Facebook page where they posted "controversial" memes (aka super bigoted/offensive type content). Harvard found the page and retracted all the students involved acceptance in the school. A few of the parents have come to their defense claiming "freedom of speech".

Recently on The View one of the host said  "yes it's freedom is speech but you still have to face the consequences" , personally I agree with that statement. On the other hand, another host mentioned that maybe society has become "too sensitive" to controversial "jokes", and used Bill Maher, Cathy Griffin, and Joan Rivers as an example of "controversial comedians". That's when another host mentioned that Joan Rivers wasn't ditastefully offensive and when she did offend people she owned it , didn't back down and basically made that her brand.(of course all this is in short so excuse me if it's not word for word) but b4 they could finish the topic they cut to commercial so I thought I'd ask here.

Should these student still be able to go to school or are people being "too sensitive" about "controversial jokes"

Answer

If they were making bigoted and offensive jokes and memes, sorry, then you do not deserve to go to Harvard.

The first amendment only protects you from the government. Harvard can kick you out if they so desire, since you are not exempt from facing the consequences.

Schools aren't becoming more "politically correct", they just realized how much this can hurt people and they don't want to deal with racist/homophobic/sexist bullshit.

Answer

I think a person intelligent enough to be accepted into one of the most prestigious schools in our nation should have more sense than to post on social media anything that could risk their future. Since the beginning of social media, people have been warned that anything they post is subject to be used when applying for jobs and schools. While it is "freedom of speech", Harvard has the right to not want that type of rhetoric directly related to or representing their university. So I agree that the students  should be held responsible for it.

Answer

I would hope that Harvard-bound students would have enough understanding of the First Amendment to be able to tell their parents that Harvard is a private institution, not an arm of the government, and they can rescind an application if they wish. Clearly they feel these students are not good representatives for the university and I would agree. With our rights come responsibilities and with our actions come consequences. If you can get fired from your job for what you post on social media it stands to reason it can impact your academic life as well.

Answer

Schools have a code of conduct so they can avoid having people misrepresent the school and its beliefs, and if you violate the code you will be kicked out or loose your acceptance, that's how it is, if they allowed bigots then it makes it look like they condone or agree with it, and also makes them look like they accept less intelegent people tbh cause people with bigoted opinions are definitely idiots, i mean even if they got good grades that doesn't mean they are smart, and just the fact they posted this online shows they aren't as intelegent as their test scores would have us believe, plus any school that wants to deserve a good reputation or at least want students who are decent human beings to go to the school would not allow those sort of people to represent the school

Answer

Freedom of speech doesn't apply here. Their actions directly violate the university's code of conduct, so Harvard has every right to revoke and terminate their admissions immediately. Good riddance! I'm sure there's a state school willing to take these fools.

Answer

They agreed to a student code of conduct when they accepted admission. If you violate it, the school has the right to recind admission at any time, for any reason.

Don't. Break. The. Rules.

Answer

Lmao I'm so tired of people claiming "free speech" in instances where it 100% doesn't even apply. Free Speech means the GOVERNMENT can not REGULATE what you say, but any thing privately owned or not government run 100% can regulate what you say. Harvard has expectations and values they expect students to uphold, and if they aren't then they CAN get the boot. If you cuss out your boss at work, yeah that's your right, but you CAN and WILL be punished for it. Say what you want, it's your right, but it's also the right of others to punish you for it as long as they aren't the Federal Government itself.

Answer

Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequence. In this case the consequence was losing their acceptance. For Kathy Griffin it was losing her job. For some people the consequence of hiding behind freedom of speech could be losing a friend or making a bad first impression. Not to mention, posts online are not speech. If they said something racist behind closed doors it's very different from posting it online. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Answer

No. They shouldn't be allowed to go there. Harvard has a code of conduct for its students and they were violating that code of conduct. And Harvard and other schools have an obligation to keep their students safe and make sure that their minority students feel safe. So fuck those assholes.

Answer

I mean, that's exactly it. You can say/do whatever you want, but you have to be prepared to face the consequences for it.

Should they still be able to go to Harvard? (See description)

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