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Dr. Jennifer Snyder-Cappione is an Assistant Professor of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology at Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She is also the founder of Terrier Courage, a coalition of BU-affiliated individuals dedicated to: (1) Ensuring that the Founding Principles of BU are reflected in the school’s actions; (2) Finding power in numbers: collectively achieving change that isn’t possible through individual action, (3) Standing up for civil rights, adequate wages, and proper health care for all in our community, and (4) Championing the free speech of the diverse range of perspectives in our community.

Recently, the Boston University administration has removed pride flags and other displays of solidarity from numerous campus windows on the Charles River Campus, stating on their Events and Demonstrations Policy that pride flags may be posted on so-called “free expression boards.” President Gilliam’s response to the outcry over the removals included the statement, “if you have the privilege of having a window that faces campus, you don’t get the privilege of speaking for the University.” 

I am joining together with over 1,000 other faculty, alumni, students, staff and allies to demand that the administration immediately change course. The university’s Statement on Free Speech and Expression reads: “The University has a responsibility to allow and safeguard the airing of the full spectrum of opinions on its campuses and to create an environment where ideas can be freely expressed and challenged.” 

As a member of Generation X, I grew up hearing “offensive” speech and listening to “offensive” music. I had many uncomfortable conversations with others about my objections to various jokes and song lyrics, and while I always defended my stance, I never once thought that any of it should disappear. 

When we restrict speech, we remain siloed and separate, and the intensity of our misunderstandings — on both sides — grows. Fear and misunderstanding are quelled by connection. As the great proponent of free speech John Stuart Mill wrote, “He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.” It is through the collision of opposing ideas that we may shift our opinions or come to better understand our own. 

It’s time for us to connect — to tell our tales, argue and share our fears. 

Recent national surveys by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression find that roughly one-third of faculty currently self-censor on campus, and a student survey from University of Wisconsin revealed that most college students avoid expressing controversial views in class. Removing visible expressions from shared spaces will only intensify that silence. 

BU has a long and storied history. It was founded by abolitionists in 1839 and graduated the first Black woman from the U.S. to receive a degree in medicine, Rebecca Lee Crumpler; other alums include civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., LGBTQ advocate John Ward and politician and civil rights leader Barbara Jordan, among others. 

BU was founded by and has graduated courageous people willing to take public moral stances in difficult moments, not avoid them. A BU administration faithful to its history and mission should be expanding space for visible disagreement — not restricting it. 

At BU — and all U.S. college campuses —  we should all have the “privilege” to hang any sign or flag within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech. If you agree, I encourage you to join Terrier Courage and sign our petition. The petition will be hand delivered to President Gilliam’s office Thursday, April 2, and a rally will take place on the same day.

As BU alum Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” Dr. King lived according to this tenet, here, on our campus — let us do the same.