The majority of our campus has chosen to peacefully argue for or against Horowitz's opinion or ignore the issue completely. The real responsibility we had to our readers was giving them that choice. The cowardliness of editors who ran the ad and then retreated is pathetic. Therefore, the ad deserves to run. To kowtow to readers who disagree with Horowitz's politics is simply irresponsible.
Journalism takes guts.
Overseas, where the press is not guaranteed its rights, journalists routinely give their lives to report ideas and events that some people don't want to hear. It's disheartening to see U.S. editors with First Amendment rights be so quick to censor themselves and others out of fear. I'm extraordinarily proud that the Badger Herald had the guts to not capitulate when so many others did. In a business too often focused on celebrity, violence and scandal, it's refreshing to see the press focus on complex and important issues like the First Amendment and racism. It's even more satisfying to see the press and public come down firmly on the side of the First Amendment.