On Wednesday, controversial journalist and alt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos is slated to speak at MSU.
As with every conservative figure that has made an appearance at MSU’s liberal-leaning campus, a protest is planned. It is being spearheaded by Which Side MSU?, a group making a name for itself through bold protesting maneuvers this year.
But what makes this protest unique is that Which Side MSU? plans to disallow Yiannopoulos from appearing on campus at all. In their own words, their intentions are, “to ensure that Milo Yiannopoulos does not address his audience,” according to the Facebook page.
“Different tactics of varying risk level will be utilized to achieve this purpose,” the Facebook post circulated by Which Side MSU? said. “Our campus facilities and resources are being used to host and therefore legitimize a white nationalist.”
Yiannopoulos has been banned from Twitter for his language toward other public figures. He seems to stir up controversy wherever his path leads, including the University of Michigan, where he was allowed to enter a debate with a feminist commentator earlier this year.
And Which Side MSU?, alongside many commentators, has categorized Yiannopoulos’ message as “racist” and “sexist.” But by vowing to halt Yiannopoulos from appearing on campus, Which Side MSU? impedes the very constitutional amendment that allows them to protest the man to begin with.
The State News will not endorse the message of Milo Yiannopoulos, but also cannot endorse the actions of Which Side MSU?
MSU officials did not invite Milo Yiannopoulos to campus.
Students did.
And it is students who desire to hear Yiannopoulos speak.
In the battle of students versus students, both voices deserve to be heard.
Will they?
The State News Editorial Board is made up of the Editor-in-chief Jake Allen, Managing Editor Cameron Macko, Campus Editor Rachel Fradette, Sports Editor Casey Harrison, Features Editor Connor Clark, Copy Chief Casey Holland, Staff Representative Stephen Olschanski and Diversity Representative Alexea Hankin.
Managing Editor Cameron Macko did not sit in on this editorial.
