If you saw Monsters University this summer, you might have chuckled a few times and enjoyed exploring the brightly colored world of Mike and Sully. But you probably didn’t realize that Pixar’s latest offering has a few examples of how a school should scare away those who want to squash free speech. While Monstropolis doesn’t have a First Amendment, they seem to understand the basic principles of public discourse. Warning: possible spoilers ahead.
1. Freedom of Association
When Mike joins the Oozma Kappa fraternity, no one runs to pull out the group’s constitution to check and see if they have a properly robust non-discrimination clause. Instead, Monsters University understands diversity properly. Diversity at Monsters U isn’t foisted on the students by overeager administrators, but rather comes when students with a common purpose join together. It so happens that Oozma Kappa ends up being one of the most diverse fraternities on campus (as much as one can measure diversity when everyone either has multiple heads, eyes, or brightly colored fur.) University administrators in the United States would do well to continue to allow student groups to choose their own leaders, without rules from the administration stopping religious and political groups choosing leaders based on their beliefs.
2. Discussion encouraged
At colleges around the United States, if students offer an opinion that differs from a professor, especially an opinion dealing with religious beliefs, pro-life issues, or marriage, they are frequently shut down, punished, or graded poorly. But at Monsters University, Dean Hardscrabble doesn’t point to the school’s speech code and tell Mike and Sully to shut up because saying Mike could be a scarer is “unwelcome.” She lets them try to prove it, encouraging discussion and experimentation to see who is correct. All professors should take a page out of this winged monster’s book, and allow students to present arguments in class without automatically shutting them down.
So next time you’re watching Monsters University, don’t be afraid to sing the alma mater along with Mike and Sully—their school protects free speech and freedom of association!
Has your university limited your freedom to choose members and leaders of your group, or shut down your speech because it might be unwelcome? Please contact us on facebook, email us at students@alliancedefendingfreedom.org, or give us a call at 1-800-835-5233