In view of the debate between Sarah Weddington and Phyllis Schlafly last Wednesday night, I’m sure we will be reading a lot more about abortion in the pages of The Star. I would like to address a different issue which was highlighted again during this debate and comes up every time a controversial speaker appears on campus.

That issue is the question of why certain groups and individuals feel that the exercise of free speech means that they can ridicule those whose opinions they don’t like and disrupt an otherwise orderly public forum.

The question and answer period of Wednesday’s debate was nearly ended before it began because members of the Feminist Front objected to not being allowed to make announcements and statements in a period reserved for questions. They continually heckled Schlafly whenever they disliked an opinion and made those patiently waiting to ask questions defer until they had finished.

At this point I should note that, like the members of the Feminist Front, I am a pro-choice advocate. I deplore their methods, not their message. I was equally appalled when the pro-life forces booed Weddington and one gentleman asked her to hold a “baby in a bottle.”

My point is simply this: No matter what side one takes on abortion or Louis Farrakhan’s opinions or any other current issue, our constitution demands that we allow all sides to be heard. If we expect others to listen to and respect our opinions, we have to respect them enough to hear their opinions as well.

Maybe it’s time for all of us to take a good hard look at our own actions and remember that our greatest freedom as Americans is to hold and express diverse opinions, not to repress them. Think about it!

Amy Sharer

Graduate Student/Instructor

History