On December 4, 2015, following the San Bernardino mass shooting, Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. urged 13,000 of his students to obtain handguns, stating that "we could end those Muslims before they walked in... let's teach them a lesson if they ever show up here," to loud applause from his audience.
While in a later interview, Falwell said that his reference to "those Muslims" was directed at Islamic terrorists, specifically those who'd orchestrated the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, his original comments drew ire from the McAuliffe administration. A spokesman for Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) said, "Those of us in leadership positions, whether in government or education, must take care to remember the tremendous harm that can result from reckless words."
There may be no group more qualified to speak eloquently on the danger of "reckless words" than the decorated undersigners of an open letter directed to the Virginia High School League (VHSL) on December 27, 2015, taking a stand against the violent anti-Muslim rhetoric uttered by Falwell. Over fifty former competitors and award winners of the VHSL State Debate and Speech Championships united in the name of their sport and in solidarity with Muslim-Americans and their allies.
The debaters advocate for the VHSL to "strongly consider" relocating the venue for this year's State Debate and Speech Championships away from Liberty University in light of recent comments, and in acknowledgment of other statements made by Liberty and its chancellor Falwell, which have excluded other religious and ethnic groups. In addition, the debaters also stand in solidarity with the Virginia high schools who have decided to boycott the Championships if they are held at Liberty, and also "condemn any potential punitive actions the VHSL may consider taking against these schools."
They posit their support on the premise,"Debating as an activity rests on the open exchange of ideas, free from the intimidation of violence and fear. Speakers ought be able to engage in passioned discussion without feeling unsafe or unwelcome. These comments however, have the possibility of making visitors to the campus feel as though they are regarded as potential threats or otherwise not accepted." This pertains to Muslim-American debaters, sponsors, coaches and observers of the VHSL State Championship.
In a country where a front-running presidential candidate, pundits and religious leaders like Falwell have not only gotten away with inflammatory language against Muslims, but been celebrated for it, it is important for the country's brightest and best spoken to indeed speak out against such discriminatory language.
Primary organizer of the open letter, and Tournament Director of the William & Mary Fall Debate Invitational Venu Katta adds, "This isn't about being 'offended' or 'political correctness'. For many students, the State Debate Championship is the highest level of competition for them. If you were a star athlete, would you walk away from the big game just because you were 'offended'? This speaks to a larger feeling of being unsafe and unwelcome that many competitors and schools that are boycotting the championship perceive. It's important to not ignore or belittle them; creating an environment where individuals feel free to speak their minds is the cornerstone of debate."
Debate is a pure and direct by-product of the First Amendment. This country was founded and grounded through debate. Our laws are hashed out via verbal altercation on the floor of Congress to this day. Many of us have most likely engaged in some unpolished form of debate around the dinner table with family members this holiday season. There are few things more American than a good, hearty debate. In a country that has taken to harshly criticizing liberal college students for "limiting the free speech" , this open letter is a timely commentary in opposition to that narrative, by perhaps the most direct beneficiaries of free speech in America. As evidenced here, there is certainly a right in this country to free speech of one's thoughts and opinions, but by that token, there is just as strong a right to free response.