I don’t agree that you, when you become students at…
““I don’t agree that you, when you become students at colleges, have to be coddled and protected from different points of view,” he said. “Anybody who comes to speak to you and you disagree with, you should have an argument with ‘em. But you shouldn’t silence them by saying, ‘You can’t come because I’m too sensitive to hear what you have to say.’ That’s not the way we learn either.” The man in question was Barack Obama, then still president of the United States. It””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker argues that students should engage with opposing views rather than avoid them, emphasizing debate over silencing.
In simple terms: Students should confront differing opinions, not hide from them.
Key Takeaway
Encourage open dialogue in education.
Themes
education
free speech
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
challenging
Type
persuasive
educational
When to use this quote
- classroom debates
- public forums
- media commentary
Key Concepts
intellectual humility
civil discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions foster respectful disagreement?
- What limits should be set on speech?
A Different Perspective
Students may feel unsafe without proper facilitation.