Civil rights commission holds forum

Discussion about the line between hate speech and free speech drew about 40 people to a forum sponsored by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.

The commission met March 31 in the Cook-DeWitt Center and then heard from a panel that included a Grand Valley staff member and representatives from the Grand Rapids Human Rights Commission, ACLU and Michigan State University. Commission members had viewed the forum as an opportunity for students and others to create common understandings about legitimate dialogue in a learning community.

Jeanne Arnold, vice president for Inclusion and Equity, said the forum was a good opportunity to talk about sensitive issues and learn to show respect for each other. She said the commission holds similar meetings around the state and that former Grand Valley Trustee Karen Henry Stokes, now a commissioner, was instrumental in bringing the Civil Rights Commission to GVSU.

Marlene Kowalski-Braun, director of the Women’s Center and co-chair of the Team Against Bias, was a panelist and spoke about the bias incident protocol that has been implemented.  She said that educators are challenged when looking at the harm of “hate speech” versus the importance of “free speech.”

“Grand Valley clearly values and adheres to First Amendment principles with the understanding that academic freedom is our foundation,” she said. “We also care about creating environments where everyone can benefit from all that universities have to offer without being isolated or stigmatized by hate.”