The President of Virginia’s “most diverse” public university called on the school community to support free speech and help “build an effective society,” adding that diversity includes the diversity of ideas.
“I support those students who are making their voices heard, and I applaud their courage and commitment to advocate for themselves and their communities,” said Washington. “That being said, I don’t believe that we should silence the voices of those with whom we disagree, especially in this forum where there is no imminent threat present as a result of the disagreements.”
“George Mason University prides itself on being one of ’the most diverse institutions in the Commonwealth.' Yet by having Governor Youngkin as this year’s Commencement speaker, we believe that the University compromises its supposed values of centering students’ experiences and overall well-being,” wrote Ruffin.
Washington challenged those protesting his decision by asking a question.
“Is his [Youngkin] inclusion in commencement a betrayal of our core identity of diversity, and commitment to inclusivity? Or are his presence and the passionate objections it has inspired actually the purest reflections of who we are as Mason Patriots?”
“I and my peers do not want the memories of our graduation day to be tainted by an individual who has harmed and continues to harm the people he serves,” Ruffin wrote.
Joner said ensuring First Amendment rights is crucial to the success of all educational institutes.
“This is not a conservative issue. This is not a liberal issue. This issue of free speech is at the core of what defines our society in the United States. And without it, these institutions will fail,” Joner said.