Let Obnoxious Ideas Be Heard

I am in agreement with the feeling of Alan Dershowitz, as seen in his article (Editorial Pages, May 19), “Let Even the Most Obnoxious and Offensive Ideas Be Heard,” that no speaker, no matter what he or she represents, should be censored.

Prof. Randall Kennedy has every right to be upset with apartheid, and should speak out against it. However, as Dershowitz points out, it is not right for him to advocate the disruption of certain speeches, even those given by racist representatives. Such disruptions negate freedom of speech, and often lead to violent activities. It would be much more reasonable to debate the speaker and attack his ideas after he has spoken, so that no rights have been violated.

By encouraging people not to tolerate a speech which is “so far apart (from the community’s values),” Kennedy is calling for censorship. It is in the best interest of everyone to prevent this from happening, for once censorship gets started, its chain reaction will not stop until everyone has been affected.

For every representative speaking for apartheid in this country, I’m sure there are many more speaking against it, and most everyone, including Kennedy, would not want these speakers deprived of their freedoms.

THOMAS LODGARD

Santa Ana