The Manifesto of Acceptable Speech
Throughout time word of mouth has been used to pass messages, stories and information. The ability to openly discuss and relay comments, questions, concerns, thoughts, opinions and so on is considered one of the American Rights. In fact, it says in the United States Constitution under the First Amendment that every American is entitled to free speech. It fulfills the basic needs of a country’s citizens. However, my purpose in redefining Free Speech is to give a new voice to a complicated concept. I propose a new set order that determines what is, and is not, Free Speech.
My project took on four distinguishing steps to get to my final presentation.
Ø The Destination
Ø The Interpretations
Ø The Conversation
Ø The Re-Imagination
THE DESTINATION
In choosing a space I could feel was my own, I had to initially let go of the fears and concerns that have been holding me back throughout the course. However, in realizing my inability to complete disregard my personal feelings, I decided to find a place that expressed progress as opposed to complete change. Foucault deals with many elements that create his Manifesto, but what relates best to my work is the fifth element which describes “heterotopias [that] always presuppose a system of opening and closing that both isolates them and makes them penetrable” (Foucault 6). Brower Commons, named after Rutgers University alumni Charles Brower, is the designated free speech area, which is located on the steps between the main entrance of Brower Commons Dining Hall and Stonier Residence Hall on College Avenue. The space also extends back to the Records Hall courtyard. In order to find this a suitable candidate for the presentation I had to take in account its existing boundaries and my personal existing boundaries and Foucault’s notion that “the site is defined by relations of proximity between points or elements; formally, we can describe these relations as series, trees, or grids” (Foucault 1).
THE INTERPRETATIONS
As Brower Commons is commonly refered to as a free speech zone, I wanted to get more in depth to what “free speech” really stood for at this University. In a country-wide understanding, freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. I came across information on FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) which was able to give, in detail, the story of a complaint filed against Rutgers University for not complying with free speech regulations. FIRE was able able to inform me that Rutgers is considered to have a red light rating for censoring student speech. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Some of the details that led to such a negative rating dealt with the lack of policies on diversity, multiculturalism, harrassment, tolerance, respect, sensitivity, hate, and honor (http://www.thefire.org/index.php/codes/1015).
THE CONVERSATION
In discovering the space as a free speech area, I wanted to figure out what would be the best way to get a sense for the space as a whole. I considered audio, visual, Krzysztof Wodiczko’s use of the “unseen, unheard”, involving outsiders’ participation and so on. In the end, I created a puzzle that led you around iconic visuals within the area. The clues on each puzzle piece led you to the next one. Once it all comes together it read out “The Steps @ Brower Commons are a Free Speech Zone.” Then I will dispel any rumors of how free our speech actually is at Rutgers.
THE RE-IMAGINATION
Free Speech/ Acceptable Speech: 10 Most Important Rules
It will no longer be considered free, but Acceptable Speech. Acceptable still allows for profanity and all other disputable language but no longer gives the right to an individual or group to voice hatred, or other negative notions towards others.
Acceptable Speech covers oral, written, and nonverbal communication.
Acceptable Speech rejects the ideas of racism, sexism, classism and hate for cats.
Acceptable Speech requires two ends- a speaker or writer and a listener or reader.
For example, it is not considered Acceptable Speech when someone sits alone in their room, talking out loud.
Acceptable Speech would be a person sitting along in their room writing down their thoughts.
Acceptable Speech would also be a person talking to another person.
Acceptable Speech includes all forms of media- television, radio, Internet, etc.
Acceptable Speech overwrites the FCC.
Acceptable Speech only exists within the confines of the United States. The rest of the world is not ready for such a Manifesto.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak positively of cats.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak highly of Hana Iverson, Professor of Neighborhood Narratives.
Acceptable Speech requires Hana Iverson to give Alissa Ogen an A when she writes down the final semester grades. (Alissa loves cats, remember that).
It will no longer be considered free, but Acceptable Speech. Acceptable still allows for profanity and all other disputable language but no longer gives the right to an individual or group to voice hatred, or other negative notions towards others. They say smiling is contagious, and so it is the premise of Rule #1 in my Manifesto to keep negativity out. It is allowable to say “I do not like Someone because…” but is breaks the rule if someone were to reword it as “Someone is a $&(#@%!*” The inclusion of positive ‘I’ messages will be very influential in the success of this rule.
Acceptable Speech covers oral, written, and nonverbal communication. The rules of Acceptable Speech apply when speaking, writing and in all other methods of communication between two sources (amongst people, person and paper, person and computer, etc).
Acceptable Speech rejects the ideas of racism, sexism, classism and hate for cats. Perhaps the most difficult of the new order of rules, the throwing out of old ideas of race, class, sex, etc must finally come to a conclusion. Anyone who breaks this rule is sentenced to Speech School. Classes are given once a week.
Ø First offense: 1 session
Ø Second offense: 3 sessions
Ø Third offense: One month of sessions
Ø Fourth offense: 3 months of sessions
Ø Fifth offense: 6 months of session
Ø Sixth offense: 1 year of sessions
Ø Seventh offense: 3 years of sessions
Ø Eight offense: 5 years of sessions
Ø Ninth offense: 10 years of sessions
Ø Tenth offense: Get out of the country. You should have learned by now.
Acceptable Speech requires two ends- a speaker or writer and a listener or reader. As long as the information is being passed, it is under the confines of Acceptable Speech. Do not get caught breaking the rules or you are hereby subject to Speech School.
Acceptable Speech includes all forms of media- television, radio, Internet, etc. As long as the information reaches, or is available to others, is falls under the rules of Acceptable Speech.
Acceptable Speech overwrites the FCC. What Acceptable Speech does not cover, the FCC may continue with their original set of rules.
Acceptable Speech only exists within the confines of the United States. The rest of the world is not ready for such a Manifesto. Once outside the borders of the United States of America, any U.S. Citizen is free to speak in terms of hate, etc. However, be aware that you represent an American standard that strives to be upstanding and respectable.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak positively of cats. Say what you will about dogs, fish and other animals- but cats are to receive the royal treatment and be spoken about just as well.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak highly of Hana Iverson, Professor of Neighborhood Narratives. Alongside other educators and artists, Professor Iverson’s work should be portrayed as inclusive, educational, like a catalyst for new works, and seen as an opportunity to share thoughts.
Acceptable Speech requires Hana Iverson to give Alissa Ogen an A when she writes down the final semester grades. (Alissa loves cats, remember that). Writing is one of the main components to Acceptable Speech and requires positive communication. Anything less than uplifting and successful responses will be considered just plain rubbish.
Visual Quietude
10 years ago