UNC Chapel Hill chancellor Holden Thorp issued a statement saying he regrets the behavior of students who, last night, heckled former Virginia congressman Virgil Goode as he discussed illegal immigration. Six were arrested.
This is the second time Chapel Hill students have displayed their support for shutting down those with whom they disagree. Wednesday night’s behavior follows last week’s chaos in which students forced Tom Tancredo from the room after breaking a window and generally making it impossible for the event to proceed.
All of this pathetic behavior is done in the name of free speech, they say. I wonder what it will take for Thorp to understand that these students do reflect on his campus, even though he says they don’t. Using his logic, then, the handful of his students who receive premiere accolades or are bestowed elite honors, don’t reflect his campus either.
Let’s hope Thorp understands that something is amiss at Chapel Hill when students have so little understanding and respect for the basic constitutional right they claim to be supporting, and when even a professor joins in the embarrassing display.
