Case study of Freedom of Speech

1. Case Study Analysis: Freedom of Speech?
Erwin Bernal, Latifa Rahman, Saira Ali, and Seabelo Chabo John
Professor: Dr. Blanchard

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Case: Freedom of Speech? by Michael Funk
Location: Hurricane A&M
Themes: Historically Black colleges and universities, grant
schools, school reputation, technical colleges, journalism and
mass communications, racial and ethnic diversity, sexual
orientation issues
Introduction and Overview

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• The Annual Spring Event, run by the undergraduate Program Board, is coming up
culminating with a concert
– The event is a source of pride for the school due to its strong ties with athletics and brings
in massive numbers for the school community
• Dante Williams, the Program Board director, has zoned in on bringing in a popular reggae-
pop group whose new single “Hurricane” coincides with the school’s mascot
– Dante distributed a survey in which the group was voted unanimously
– The group is also willing to charge less money than proposed
– Speculation on social media of the group performing generates excitement amongst the
student population
• Ahmad Woods, chair of the Gay Straight Alliance, is leading efforts to protest the selection
of the band due to the overtly homophobic lyrics and misogynistic undertones
• Leah Rosado, Assistant Director of Campus Life, is being asked by both sides
– Dante wants to stay the course, as he believes Ahmad is looking too much into the
lyrics
– Ahmad continues to write emails on behalf of the well-respected GSA, who now have
over 100 signatures from students demanding a boycott
Analysis of the Problem

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• Hurricane A&M
– mid-sized historically Black college
– Land-grant institution that was initially a teaching college that
evolved into strong Journalism and Mass Communications programs
– Proud football and basketball traditions
– Active alumni participation due to its “home for everyone” mentality
– Largely residential with 80% of students living on campus
– Representation
• Caribbean - 45%
• African Americans - 40%
• Other (Latino and white) - 15%
Essential Facts and Information

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Key Actors in the Case
Leah Rosado Ahmad Woods Dante Williams
● Assistant Director of
Campus Life
● Latin American woman
with three years’
experience in student
affairs
● Earned her MA from a
college in New Jersey
● Still figuring out the
nuances between the
various groups within the
African Diaspora
● African American junior,
Political Science major
● Leadership role with the
Graduate Student Alliance
for almost two years
● Openly gay
● Leader amongst peers
● Social justice
spokesperson
● Senior from St. Croix, a
Caribbean island
● Been working to feature a
Caribbean band for
campus spring concert
● Dante feels that Caribbean
culture is
underrepresented despite
being 45% of student
population
● Deeply religious and set in
his ways ideologically

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What are the decision issues faced by actors in the case study?
• Respecting sexual identity of students
• Celebrating African American culture and student free speech since
they voted
• Ensuring fair administrative responsibility
Theories reflected in this problem: Hubbard (2017)
● Social Identity Development (Tajfel & Turner, 1986)
● Intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991)
Relevant Theory or Theories

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1. Denounce Discrimination
● Ask the band to publicly use their platforms to denounce
bigotry and support different sexuality identities
2. GSA Night
● Go ahead with the all-school event and plan another event
concurrently for the GSA
3. Collaborative Event Committee
● Invite diverse voices to collectively moderate student
options and select a band that values all identities
Alternative Solutions

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternatives
OPTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Denounce discrimination ● Everyone is happy. Support
for underserved populations
● Motives - Possibly not
sincere.
● Issue may still be
unaddressed
GSA night ● Everyone gets representation. ● Financial costs
● Time
● Backlash from the
community
Collaborative Event
Committee
● Everyone gets representation
● More control for leadership
● Time constraints
● Some unhappy students

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Collaborative Event Committee
Course of Action

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1. How should Leah respond to the GSA’s requests?
2. How can Leah include Dante in the process without
undermining his role as Director of the Program Board?
3. Does freedom of speech play a role here? How so?
4. How would you include others in your decision-making
process?
5. Is it possible to create a win-win in this scenario? What might
that look like?
Reflection and Discussion

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Hubbard, S. M. (2017). Linking theory to practice (14th edition).
Routledge.
References