Canceled speech sends bad message

Controversial though he may be, I have to agree with author Bill Ayers' reaction to Naperville North High School's decision to cancel his engagement. Considering the school required parental consent for students to attend, clearly the facility knew the nature of this event and took measures to inform parents and let them make the decision. In addition, although Ayers' previous affiliations may be disturbing to some, there is nonetheless a valuable lesson from his involvement in the anti-war movement.

Tax supported high school or not, the children who were interested in hearing Ayers speak should have been allowed to attend. People fail to realize as Americans we are supposed to have choices. What message are you sending your children if you take away their ability to choose and if you start dictating what messages are valuable? There is always a lesson to be learned no matter what the content and, as parents, it is your job to put those messages and lessons in perspective, not to shield ears.

Obviously I feel the cancellation sends an awful message regarding free speech as the school recanted on its decision to allow Ayers to speak in the first place. The best argument is an informed one and in order to gain knowledge, sometimes it is best to hear an idea that is different from your own. As Jonathan Weiland says, "... school should be about the education of people and it was one opportunity of thousands that students have ... to see living history." Overall the pros outweigh the cons of hearing what Ayers had to say.

Controversial or not, when you take opportunities like that away from children, you take away choice and freedom, the very definition, purpose, and foundation of both our education system and our country.

Elizabeth Daley

Rolling Meadows