Freedom of speech is one of the most important rights we have. It is without a doubt something that should never be infringed upon; however, your right to live does not get overwritten because of this. Recently, conservative commentator Tomi Lahren and Clemson Democrats have been in an argument over whether or not Lahren should be able to speak on campus, and the simple answer is yes, but unfortunately, the world isn’t simple. We are in the middle of a global emergency, and we are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Lahren is a proud and outspoken individual who often remarks about how those who follow COVID-19 guidelines are sheep and that the masks and vaccines are lies.  On a campus that claims to full-heartedly want to prevent COVID, allowing a political activist who often denies the existence of the pandemic to host a large gathering on campus at the heart of the testing and vaccination center, is at the least disrespectful and a slap in the face to all those who live, learn and work here. Lahren is fully welcome to speak off-campus just as she welcomed protests at her event. I have nothing against her talking, though her speech is incredibly controversial; I do see it as a massive slap in the face to allow such a large event on campus.

Clemson announced the start of their Healthy Campus campaign in early August of last year and has been committed to testing students, but has proven how indifferent they are to enforcing mask-wearing around campus. Often, you can see students in large groups outside of dining halls and buildings without masks on. Though it is completely understandable to want a break where social distancing can be maintained, gathering like this is unacceptable in such close quarters. 

I hope Clemson understands what kind of message they are sending out by allowing Lahren to speak on campus, about such a controversial topic, in the middle of a pandemic, when she is such an avid anti-masker. 117,000 people have registered for this event, and though it is expected that the actual amount of people that show up will be below that number, it is still outrageous to even consider hosting this event on campus.  To have many people who support a woman so heavily against masks walking around on campus is blatantly disrespectful to everyone who calls this campus home.

I ask Clemson University to take a step back and remember what they promised students and parents at the beginning of the semester. We looked forward to a decline in cases and taking steps towards a healthy campus. Though Clemson has delivered on some of these promises, they have yet to show any value behind wanting to ensure safety for students from COVID-19.