Herbert Lowe and Clay Calvert Comment on Racist Social Media Posts

Herbert Lowe, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Journalism lecturer, and Clay Calvert, director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project, were quoted in “UF Probes Social Media Posts Seen as Racist” published in The Gainesville Sun on June 5.

The story focuses on allegations that prospective and enrolled UF students are posting racist messages on social media. Some universities across the country have rescinded student acceptance offers due to this behavior.

According to Lowe, a past president of the National Association of Black Journalists, the context of the university community is a critical factor.

“What happens before you come to UF matters. What happens in high school matters,” Lowe said. “As a journalist, I want to know all the facts. If this was one post, that’s one thing. If there are a gazillion of them, that’s another. That’s why UF is investigating.”

According to Calvert, what people consider hate speech is protected by the First Amendment.

“People have a right and ability to engage, but that doesn’t mean they should, and clearly what young people say can come back to haunt them, like when they’re applying to college,” he said.

Calvert acknowledged, however, that while an individual may not be in legal hot water for what they say, they could face repercussions for violating a university’s code of conduct.

“You have to be careful what you do and what you say online because there’s going to be a permanent record somewhere,” he said.

Posted: June 5, 2020
Category: College News, Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project News
Tagged as: Clay Calvert, Herbert Lowe, Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project