Facing pushback, Ryerson University cancels panel discussion on campus free speech - Sensationalist Headlines

[quote]Ryerson University has canceled a panel discussion called [b][i]“The Stifling of Free Speech on University Campuses”[/i][/b] following pushback from activists who said the event was giving a platform to fascists. The event, which was set for August 22, was slated to feature controversial speakers including University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson, who rose to prominence after refusing to use students’ preferred pronouns, and journalist Faith Goldy, who works for the far-right Rebel Media. Behavioural scientist Gad Saad and psychologist Oren Amitay rounded out the roster. Ryerson Communications Director Michael Forbes cited safety concerns as the reason the event was shut down. “After a thorough security review, the University has concluded that Ryerson is not equipped to provide the necessary level of public safety for the event to go forward,” he wrote in an emailed statement. “In light of recent events, Ryerson University is prioritizing campus safety.” Christeen Elizabeth, one of the organizers of a planned rally against the event — “No Fascists in Our City!”, the Facebook event page for which originally featured a header photo of a crossed-out swastika, before the photo was changed Wednesday — said it was important to speak out against what she sees as violence against oppressed groups. “Transphobia is violence, Islamophobia is violence. Violence is contextual,” she said. “We can’t be complicit in this.” Elizabeth said activists inundated Ryerson with calls and emails protesting the panel. She said she also collaborated with the school’s student union, who added to the pressure.[/quote] [url]http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/facing-pushback-ryerson-cancels-panel-discussion-on-campus-free-speech/wcm/65986f6f-d393-4213-b10d-003e1c348c44[/url] [url]http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40956141[/url] The irony would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad that the threat of violence keeps on shutting down civil discussion on Free Speech.

After Charlottesville, there was a lot of criticism against the police and the mayor for failing to prevent violence in public spaces. The university is taking a reasonable approach here: If they aren't confident that they can host the event safely, they shouldn't host it.

[QUOTE=Sega Saturn;52584994]After Charlottesville, there was a lot of criticism against the police and the mayor for failing to prevent violence in public spaces. The university is taking a reasonable approach here: If they aren't confident that they can host the event safely, they shouldn't host it.[/QUOTE] I agree with that, but it is still sad that the threat of violence cancels such an event.

[QUOTE=Tudd;52585017]I agree with that, but it is still sad that the threat of violence cancels such an event.[/QUOTE] It's sadder that we live in such violent times. You can argue that all these guys were trying to do was express their rights to free speech, and aren't guilty of anything, but the reality is that their target audience is causing a lot of pain and grief to other Americans, and they intend to normalize those behaviors. It's no surprise that they tap into high emotions and generate hostility, because their followers often already practice it. They can't pretend they don't know how this looks, given the timing and the prevailing political currents right now. I wish universities could be purely a battleground of ideas, but as of right now, they're not. But the problem won't be solved by simply playing with fire.

[QUOTE=Sega Saturn;52585125]It's sadder that we live in such violent times. You can argue that all these guys were trying to do was express their rights to free speech, and seen guilty of anything, but the reality is that their target audience is causing a lot of pain and grief to other Americans, and they intend to normalize those behaviors. It's no surprise that they tap into high emotions and generate hostility, because their followers often already practice it. They can't pretend they don't know how this looks, given the timing and the prevailing political currents right now. I wish universities could be purely a battleground of ideas, but as of right now, they're not. But the problem won't be solved by simply playing with fire.[/QUOTE] The timing is ridiculously bad. I'm not sure when the organizers first dated this event, but it really couldn't have come at a time in recent memory when political tensions in country were poorer. That's not to say that the message shouldn't be delivered, just that a violent reception shouldn't be unexpected. Either way, it's a sad state.

This kind of thing sounds like it would be better placed on a later date when the political climate isn't so hot.

People need to calm the fuck down here. They want a fight when there isn't a worthy one in Ontario of all fucking places. These are kids with a hero/persecution complex looking for conflict that isn't there. We have it good, people don't get it. Jordan Peterson isn't a fascist... [editline]17th August 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=CorporalCupCake;52585253]The timing is ridiculously bad. I'm not sure when the organizers first dated this event, but it really couldn't have come at a time in recent memory when political tensions in country were poorer. That's not to say that the message shouldn't be delivered, just that a violent reception shouldn't be unexpected. Either way, it's a sad state.[/QUOTE] It was dated way earlier, just a coincidence.

Exactly what was happening before and will be worse after Charlottesville. People are in a frenzy to see nazis deplatformed and at times foaming from the mouth to bash their skulls in. Alt left lunatics, for whom the label nazi is extended to anyone right of them, will only be emboldened by this trend.

[QUOTE=Tudd;52584959][url]http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/facing-pushback-ryerson-cancels-panel-discussion-on-campus-free-speech/wcm/65986f6f-d393-4213-b10d-003e1c348c44[/url] [url]http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40956141[/url] The irony would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad that the threat of violence keeps on shutting down civil discussion on Free Speech.[/QUOTE] the problem is that the right has not been civil for some time and the left is just catching up. not to say these events shouldn't happen but right this moment might not be the right time

Did the words "Alt-Left" seriously come into use after Trump made it up on the spot?

[QUOTE=archangel125;52587795]Did the words "Alt-Left" seriously come into use after Trump made it up on the spot?[/QUOTE] Pretty much. Basically a last ditch effort by the Far-right/alt-right to demonize the left as much as they possibly can at this point. Since this whole shitshow was basically a precision strike towards the Far-right.

[QUOTE=archangel125;52587795]Did the words "Alt-Left" seriously come into use after Trump made it up on the spot?[/QUOTE] Nah I've seen it around on twitter and the internet a while before trump said it. I've only ever seen it used as a slur against leftists though, from liberals and republicans.

Those damn alt-leftists! With their neo-pronouns and arguments in favour of equality! Gah! They just get me so mad! What with all that questioning of flawed political systems and their [I]stupid blue sidecuts![/I] A real menace to society! Know'wha'm'sayin?

Honestly I think it is a smart move, you generate publicity for the cause without having to actually do the event and risking the violence from idiots. edit- oh didn't see it was for far right. I mean the cause of freedom of speech without fear of violence to be specific.

I typed antifa there at start, but decided to put in alt-left to see the reaction. Doesn't surprise me that there's no problem using alt-right after Hillary makes it up (on the spot!!1 I'm sure she had a team guiding her like in everything), but alt-left is so nonexistant and stupid to use. Thank you guys, I am now sure that antifa lunatics are part of the standard left. To be serious, I found that names are often used for deflection. So you're not against fascists, so black lives don't matter, so you want people to starve/be idiots/etc.. when you criticize antifa, blm, some government program and so on. [QUOTE=Uber22;52587831]Pretty much. Basically a last ditch effort by the Far-right/alt-right to demonize the left as much as they possibly can at this point. Since this whole shitshow was basically a precision strike towards the Far-right.[/QUOTE] It's depressing that alt-left is more demonizing than openly being an anarcho communist.

[QUOTE=Omesh;52588205]I typed antifa there at start, but decided to put in alt-left to see the reaction. Doesn't surprise me that there's no problem using alt-right after Hillary makes it up[/QUOTE] Lmao. You realize the alt right gave themselves that name... right? As part of the extreme far right rebranding effort.

[QUOTE=Omesh;52588205]I typed antifa there at start, but decided to put in alt-left to see the reaction. Doesn't surprise me that there's no problem using alt-right after Hillary makes it up (on the spot!!1 I'm sure she had a team guiding her like in everything), but alt-left is so nonexistant and stupid to use. Thank you guys, I am now sure that antifa lunatics are part of the standard left. To be serious, I found that names are often used for deflection. So you're not against fascists, so black lives don't matter, so you want people to starve/be idiots/etc.. when you criticize antifa, blm, some government program and so on. It's depressing that alt-left is more demonizing than openly being an anarcho communist.[/QUOTE] What the fuck are you on about?

[QUOTE=GrizzlyBear;52588219]Lmao. You realize the alt right gave themselves that name... right? As part of the extreme far right rebranding effort.[/QUOTE] Surely a million articles coming out after she mentions it had nothing to do with it. That's the moment where it suddenly entered common use. I heard Richard "literally who" Spencer was apparently using it before, but places like pol embraced it afterwards. [QUOTE=fulgrim;52588233]What the fuck are you on about?[/QUOTE] Work on your reading comprehension. I know you read my original post and what came after.

[QUOTE=Omesh;52588311]Surely a million articles coming out after she mentions it had nothing to do with it. I heard Richard Spencer was apparently using it before, but places like pol embraced it afterwards. [/QUOTE] Well, duh. Up until then, it was only the inner circle of the alt-right using that term and Hillary bringing it up brought it more into the mainstream. Sorry, what was your point again? First you go 'using alt right is okay but alt left isn't wow hypocrisy lunatic tactics hurf durf', then someone points out the alt-right coined that name themselves and your reply is basically 'but hillary'.

[QUOTE=Sir Whoopsalot;52588330]Well, duh. Up until then, it was only the inner circle of the alt-right using that term and Hillary bringing it up brought it more into the mainstream. Sorry, what was your point again? First you go 'using alt right is okay but alt left isn't wow hypocrisy lunatic tactics hurf durf', then someone points out the alt-right coined that name themselves and your reply is basically 'but hillary'.[/QUOTE] Could have expressed myself better. I acknowledge it was used before and I was wrong. Still hold that the vast majority of people it suddenly applied to had nothing to do with the larper Spencer (if he's the earliest one using it, not sure), so it seemed to come from nowhere (remember mass confusion threads on pol about whether to embrace the name). Spencer himself was never heard of before he got into shit and suddenly he's a representative of an anonymous mass of people. Edit: I'd appreciate if someone explains why they disagree with my first post (got boxes) besides getting triggered over the words alt left.

[QUOTE=Omesh;52588385]Could have expressed myself better. I acknowledge it was used before and I was wrong. Still hold that the vast majority of people it suddenly applied to had nothing to do with the larper Spencer (if he's the earliest one using it, not sure), so it seemed to come from nowhere (remember mass confusion threads on pol about whether to embrace the name). Spencer himself was never heard of before he got into shit and suddenly he's a representative of an anonymous mass of people. Edit: I'd appreciate if someone explains why they disagree with my first post (got boxes) besides getting triggered over the words alt left.[/QUOTE] dude i dont know if youre drunk or high but if theres a point youre getting at youre really not showing it

[QUOTE=Omesh;52588205]I typed antifa there at start, but decided to put in alt-left to see the reaction. Doesn't surprise me that there's no problem using alt-right after Hillary makes it up (on the spot!!1 I'm sure she had a team guiding her like in everything), but alt-left is so nonexistant and stupid to use. Thank you guys, I am now sure that antifa lunatics are part of the standard left. To be serious, I found that names are often used for deflection. So you're not against fascists, so black lives don't matter, so you want people to starve/be idiots/etc.. when you criticize antifa, blm, some government program and so on. It's depressing that alt-left is more demonizing than openly being an anarcho communist.[/QUOTE] Heh...the alt-left demonizing people.... Give me a fucking break.. You have Far-right, alt-right, and KKK who've been demonizing minorities and other people for over a century. These people have demonized the left to the point, where people were openly making jokes on Social media about the death of the counter protestor that was killed recently. My own family has basically told me to fuck off for being a left leaning individual as well. The far right are the kings of Demonization. Go look at McCarthyism, the Nazis, all these fucking far-right groups have always demonized people to the point they view the other side as nonhuman filth.

The regressive left is actually right-wing in terms of their authoritarianism. They're one and the same, just different banners and different causes. And anyway, the cancellation of this debate is perfectly reasonable, considering the university could not provide a secure environment. They were probably afraid a lot of Neo-nazis would start killing people up here, too.

[QUOTE=archangel125;52596996]The regressive left is actually right-wing in terms of their authoritarianism. They're one and the same, just different banners and different causes. And anyway, the cancellation of this debate is perfectly reasonably, considering the university could not provide a secure environment. They were probably afraid a lot of Neo-nazis would start killing people up here, too.[/QUOTE] Which is hilarious, because its literally the Right yelling at the regressive-left for being right-leaning

[QUOTE=archangel125;52596996]The regressive left is actually right-wing in terms of their authoritarianism. They're one and the same, just different banners and different causes. And anyway, the cancellation of this debate is perfectly reasonable, considering the university could not provide a secure environment. They were probably afraid a lot of Neo-nazis would start killing people up here, too.[/QUOTE] Probably just more scared of the massive groups of radical leftists that have vandalized buildings and punched people many times at events like these before.

[QUOTE=Tudd;52597266]Probably just more scared of the massive groups of radical leftists that have vandalized buildings and punched people many times at events like these before.[/QUOTE] List me events like this that have happened in Canada in the last 50 years. If you can find three I'll be impressed.

[QUOTE=Tudd;52597266]Probably just more scared of the massive groups of radical leftists that have vandalized buildings and punched people many times at events like these before.[/QUOTE] I'd be more afraid of the radical right driving over people and shooting up abortion clinics or places of worship. They're already responsible for the majority of domestic terror casualties.

-snip

[QUOTE=RichyZ;52597530]the only time i can remember shit going down in canada is when that hockey team lost and cars were flipped[/QUOTE] No guys...Tudd tells the truth since the left has been destroying entire neighborhoods in Canada. :downs:

[QUOTE=RichyZ;52597530]the only time i can remember shit going down in canada is when that hockey team lost and cars were flipped[/QUOTE] That's happened a few times now, and it's always been assholes looking for an excuse to riot and taking advantage of a large unhappy crowd flooding out of a stadium (and local bars) all at once. It wasn't political at all, it was just a bunch of trashy lads looking for an opportunity to set shit on fire in the streets. The last riot in Vancouver featured people identifying rioters in photos posted to social media and ratting them out to the cops. There was also that mosque shooting that Trump immediately condemned as Muslim terrorism and then it turns out to have been a /pol/-tard that drank the kool-aid too hard. Oops. :v: [editline]21st August 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=Uber22;52597551]No guys...Tudd tells the truth since the left has been destroying entire neighborhoods in Canada. :downs:[/QUOTE] I can confirm. Paul Martin personally bulldozed my mother's house last week and when we complained he yelled "GST rebaaaates!" as he drove off.