Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSOfficials at John Hopkins University have decided to reverse a decision banning a pro-life display at its Spring Fair simply because it included models of fetal development which they deemed "disturbing".
FoxNews.com is reporting that the student group known as JHU Voice for Life has been displaying pro-life materials at the annual Spring Fair for decades. Part of the display includes life-sized models of unborn babies at various stages of development.
However, this year, a student committee acting in conjunction with faculty advisors, sent the group an email stating that “We’ve reviewed your pictures with our advisers and have determined that your display contains triggering and disturbing images and content.”
The club was told they were not permitted to erect the display this year.
“I certainly find it ironic that a university that has dedicated itself to the advancement of medicine and biology would find displaying medically accurate fetal models disturbing and offensive," said Andrew Guernsey, head of JHU Voice for Life. "I mean, these are images shown in high school textbooks.”
He went on to ask if the school allows censorship based on something being “disturbing”, would anything be permitted?
“Will gay and lesbian groups be banned from Spring Fair because some religious people find homosexual activity 'disturbing'?” he asked.
The group wisely turned to the media and FoxNews.com immediately emailed questions to the students on the committee to inquire about the decision. The committee responded within 40 minutes with the news that the decision had been reversed.
“We… were wrong in our initial decision and, upon further reflection, have decided we will not impose restrictions on the displays presented by any community groups at Spring Fair... The committee values free speech.”
Sounds like someone had a chat with the folks over at the law school.
Guernsey identified the faculty adviser responsible for the initial rejection as Assistant Director of Student Activities Janet Kirsch. She did not respond to Fox’s request for comment.
Fox reports that restrictions on pro-life speech on campus is nothing new and is actually quite common across the country.
“Attempts to censor pro-life speech on campus has been a consistent problem throughout my entire career,” said Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), to FoxNews.com.
“Pro-life speech is often very unpopular speech on campus, and too many campuses and students have little tolerance for it.”
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