Some members of this year’s graduating class at Notre Dame did not want Mike Pence as their commencement speaker. Objecting to his long record of bigotry, homophobia, use of the law to further marginalize vulnerable communities and generally being an all-around horrible person, they organized a walkout to protest his address during the ceremony at the university on Sunday. But poor old Pence didn’t take the rejection well. During his speech, instead of leaving the graduates with inspirational words about their future, he used the opportunity to condemn what he perceives as political correctness gone awry on college campuses—suggesting that Republicans who are finding themselves unwelcome in certain spaces are somehow now persecuted for their beliefs.
He was, of course, referring to the fact that in recent weeks college students have been more than vocal about the fact that Republicans who mean minorities harm through their words and policies such as Betsy DeVos and John Cornyn were unwanted at their graduations. Students are fighting back and Pence let Notre Dame know he was not pleased with the resistance.
“While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness — all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech,” the vice president [said].
“As you, our youth, are the future, and universities, the bellwether of thought and culture, I would submit that the increasing intolerance and suppression of the time-honored tradition of free expression on our campuses jeopardizes the liberties of every American,” Pence said.
“This should not — and must not — be met with silence.”
Pence does partially have a point. Free expression is indeed a hallmark of college campuses. Debate and exchanges between different points of view can be healthy, foster dialogue and create understanding. It is what is sorely lacking in today’s polarized society. And yet, there is a huge difference between tone policing and shutting down hate speech.
Pence and his Republican friends have been on the side of some very hateful speech that has had real-life consequences and resulted in harm for marginalized groups. It has not been productive nor simply just a different point of view. It has incited violence. It has been used to support laws that take away rights from others. Are some people really expecting the very ones targeted by that hateful speech to sit idly by and endure that speech under the guise of some misguided notions of civility or because “there is always something to learn from someone who thinks differently from you”?
The fact that there is consistently an expectation that the oppressed will engage with their oppressors is incredibly problematic. It is how power thrives. Yet power concedes nothing without a demand. Folks need to stop insisting that abused people passively accept abuse. Especially at a graduation. This was not a forum. It is one thing to listen to diverging viewpoints at a debate or an open forum where differing ideas are welcome and where both sides can engage. This was a celebration of achievement and graduates deserve better.
"Graduates around the country deserve commencement speakers who inspire them to propel our diverse country forward, and these Notre Dame students bravely told the world that Vice President Pence’s anti-LGBTQ actions fly in the face of unity and inspiration," GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.
"These Notre Dame graduates should be applauded for demonstrating true leadership and standing up for freedom and acceptance," she said.
Pence’s speech sounds a lot like whining. In fact, it’s exactly like the “snowflake” behavior he and his base often accuse liberals of. Instead of imparting wisdom and positivity to the graduates, he chose to center himself and complain about how he and his fellow Republicans are being mistreated. Actually, what’s happening is that they are starting to get a taste of what it feels like to have their privilege finally questioned. And to them, that feels like oppression. But they better get used to it. It doesn’t seem like that will be changing anytime soon.
Approximately 150 Notre Dame students and family members participated in the walkout during Pence’s speech. You can see their peaceful protest here.