I want you to watch this short seven-minute video. There is one curse word in it, and a few people putting up their middle fingers. But this is a really teachable moment. The guys at the table are wearing MAGA hats. Forget that part of it. Listen to the discussion, and then see what the crowd does:
https://x.com/camhigby/status/1970990361196843503
This happened at Tennessee State University, which is an HBCU school (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). I like the young man at the beginning who was trying to have a thoughtful discussion with the guys from “The Fearless Debates Tour.” He was asking questions and getting answers. Stand up for your position. And if someone disagrees with your position, give them logical reasons for why you disagree. That is how debate and conversations work.
But then, the mob mentality took over. The group became bigger, and they didn’t talk. They just tried to shut them down. When that happens, then you know that someone has lost the debate.
I am a big fan of the police, but they are wrong in this instance. There is a concept known in law called “The Heckler’s Veto.” It basically means that a crowd cannot usurp the First Amendment rights of a speaker. A speaker has the right to speak. A speaker has the right to speak. If the speaker is being heckled and if the audience is yelling and trying to shut him down, then he can’t speak. But “The Heckler’s Veto” also protects the rights of audiences to hear the speaker.
What the police should have legally done was to hold the crowd back and let the discussion continue. But they did not. They let the mob win, and that is the reason why the heckler’s veto has been held up in court. We cannot let the mob win. The First Amendment should win in this context. A dissenting voice always needs to be heard. They might make a point that you should think about.
The university put out a statement that read:
“Today, a group of individuals unaffiliated with Tennessee State University appeared on campus without prior notice. In accordance with university policy, any demonstration or protest activity requires advance approval and permitting. Campus police and staff responded promptly, and the individuals were escorted from university grounds without incident. At all times, TSU students conducted themselves in a professional and respectful manner.”
That is an interesting statement. If this is what Tennessee State University considers and teaches as being a “professional and respectful manner,” something is way off. Why haven’t these students been taught how to debate? Why have they not been taught how to persuade people? Why have they not been taught to argue their points in a respectful back-and-forth way?
What the president should have said was this: “We are going to refund all of the students’ tuition because we have not properly taught you how to interact with people you disagree with. All classes, starting tomorrow, will teach you that.”
But some people in society want no discussion. They want to be in the position of power over you to tell you what you should and should not believe, without any pushback.
Acts 26:1–3
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Acts 26:27–29
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Now, that is how to have a discussion or a conversation. We could all learn a lot from Paul.
Until the nets are full,
P.S. I was just talking with a 90-year-old lady who loves to give these booklets away. She told me last year that she included a copy of One Second After You… in each of her Christmas cards that she sent out. I thought it was a great idea! Remember this month and every month to plant seeds, plant seeds, plant seeds!!
I ask people all the time, “Do you like to read?” If they say, “Yes,” they get a booklet. If they say, “No,” they get a booklet! I just say, “Oh, you will love this booklet. It is an easy read, and you will zing through it pretty quickly.”
They will often thumb through it and notice that it’s not only a quick read but also an appealing presentation. The colorful pages and insets make these booklets inviting, and the lost are often happy to take them.
It’s good to be prepared with materials to give to the people you meet, so we have lowered the suggested donation for our booklets to 20% off! These savings can help you stock up for the holidays and be ready to reach every person you can for the Lord! Pass these savings on to your friends, witnessing team, and church family by forwarding them the newsletter. Just click on the link below to order your booklets today!
https://markcahill.org/product-category/specials/
