Should Hate Speech be regulated on American college campuses?

Argumentative Essay: Should Hate Speech be regulated on American college campuses?
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Should Hate Speech be regulated on American college campuses?
The first Amendment guarantees free speech however in recent years; there has been an increased use of racist and sexist language on college campuses which have significantly interfered with the right of students towards a proper education. However, supporters against the regulation of such racist language have provided the rationale that regulating racist speech in campuses goes against everything regarding free speech which the First Amendment emphasizes its importance for every person (‘Free Speech on Campus’, Nat Hentoff). The paper will focus on highlighting why free speech should be regulated in campuses. It will also provide an argument against restricting free speech in such institutions.
The argument for the need for free speech regulations
Colleges are currently facing overwhelming pressure in redefining the boundaries of free speech in an era of resurgent white supremacist and also amid numerous pleas for inclusiveness on campuses which are highly diverse (‘Regulating Racist Speech on Campus’, Charles R. Lawrence III). Some students and professors have indicated that hate speech has become more significant than safeguarding the values which are enshrined by the First Amendment.
Most institutions have outlined what constitutes of hate speech as an imprecise term which includes both verbal and written words and also symbolic acts that portray a negative evaluation of a particular person, or groups based on their religion, sexual orientation, race, gender or disability (‘Free Speech on Campus’, Nat Hentoff).
The University of Michigan created a defined speech code for combating discriminatory harassment and hate speech. Their policy does not allow any behavior whether verbal or physical that victimizes an individual on a particular basis (‘The Betrayal of Liberty on America’s Campuses’, Allan Charles Kors). The assault against important liberties is occurring in the shadows of a middle administration that is unaccountable which has been given coercive authority over the lives, voluntary individuation and speech of students.
Another instance is at the University of California whereby the student newspaper wrote an editorial cartoon that satirized affirmative action. However, this received numerous complaints from minority groups and the editor was suspended for violating the policy of the publication against running articles that only foster derogatory and cultural stereotypes. (‘Free Speech on Campus’, Nat Hentoff). The rationale of such individuals is that hate speech can be viewed as symptomatic of a spirit that champions academic and social intolerance of any idea that is not politically correct.
For students in campuses, the result of hate speech is significant. People subjected to hostile environments whereby hate speech exists may lack the ability to concentrate on their academics. Such students may become worried about their emotional and physical safety and therefore have no time or energy in participating in university activities (‘Regul...