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I never thought that the Web site Juicycampus.com would ever affect me. I have tried to live a somewhat quiet existence here at Ball State University. I write my opinion pieces in the Daily News, but for the most part, I keep to myself. Juicy Campus always seemed to be more focused on promiscuous Ball State students, so as far as I could figure, there was no reason for me to visit the Web site.
Well, I did visit. A good friend of mine had told me how he was insulted on the site because of his own personal business, so I went to see what was said about him. As has happened to many of us, I assume, I got curious and started exploring. It was then that I found postings about me. People sure can be cruel. My first reaction was sheer disbelief. After that, I got mad. I stayed mad for a while. Then, odd as it may sound, I felt proud.
I was not proud of myself or anything like that. I stopped and realized the symbolic nature that this has concerning the First Amendment to the Constitution. Specifically, I thought of our right to free speech. We can say anything we want, and until we threaten somebody else's life, it's OK.
These people who wrote about me were, in their own closed-minded way, exercising their rights.
There has been some talk, especially from our leaders in the Student Government Association, of restricting our access to Juicy Campus. I do recognize the point that is made. This Web site hurts people's feelings, and anyone, with no reason or restriction, can write whatever they want about other people.
But this is not something to be afraid of. The right to insult someone is as basic as free speech can get. If it does get shut down, that will be a sad day for the First Amendment. The meanest people in society have the same rights we all do.
We have to defend another person's right to do and say as they please, because the minute we start judging people on the way they think, our ideals of freedom and liberty will fall quickly. If we have the right to burn an American flag, the symbol of freedom and democracy that has seen this country through good times and bad, we should have the right to insult people behind their backs.
When I think about all that was said about my friends (and me) I also get a little laugh. If anyone were to walk up to me and say half of the things that were written, I may feel hurt and insulted, but I would also have a good deal of respect for the person. I would have the respect for them telling me what they think directly to my face instead of hiding behind anonymous posts.
If we want to know that our right to free speech is alive and well, we need no further proof than Juicy Campus. Also, if we want to see that insulting people and calling them mean names did not go out of style in elementary school, we need no further proof.
Everyone has the right to be stupid.
Write to Alex at apcarroll@bsu.edu
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