How does free speech affect our community on campus? How can we uphold the values of free speech on our campus? To answer these questions, today I talked to OU’s student body president, Tavana Farzaneh.
Tavana’s office is located in the union in a section I’d only been in once before. I pretended not to be a scared little freshman as I knocked on the door to talk to someone of great importance. However, after being greeted with smiles and a lot of love from a tiny dog, I realized I didn’t need to worry. Tavana is a student here just like me. She is eager to talk to anyone and is full of encouragement. However, with her position, she has had many experiences that have given her first-hand examples of the importance of free speech.
“Within the Student Government Association, free speech is huge,” she told me. “Especially in congress, it’s important that you are able to express what you believe freely.”
With so many backgrounds on campus, people may disagree. As long as it is not hateful, these conversations can be used to make our university a better place.
“Because I love [the university] so much, I can criticize and improve this place as much as possible, and free speech is a huge way to do that,” Tavana told me.
This potential for improvement is exactly what makes free speech important. We need to have the space to criticize the university and not be in fear of retaliation so the things that need fixing get fixed. It won’t ever be perfect, but when we express issues and work together, we can shift the culture to make continuous improvements.
As student body president, Tavana carries a huge responsibility when it comes to free speech.
“I think understanding that everyone has their own voice, but it’s just that some people’s voices are heard louder than others.”
Tavana sees it as her job to amplify the voices of students who often go unheard.
“I have the power and the privilege where I can express that for them,” she said. She gets to use this to give others space to speak.
“My responsibility is to put aside my personal beliefs and make sure that I recognize someone whether I agree with them or not…try to make sure everyone’s voice is really heard.”
Tavana encourages others to speak freely and to speak loudly.
“There’s been times whenever I’ve spoken up about something where I’ve had tears in my eyes, and I’m actually shaking.”
However, this vulnerability is sometimes what it takes to make change happen.
Respecting the opinions of others is another important part of effectively putting free speech to use.
“If you learn to be able to disagree with people but have this positive discourse, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing…look at someone else’s perspective and understand where they’re coming from.”
In doing this, Tavana has learned patience and understanding. These have allowed her to be the advocate her peers need. She knows how to speak up for herself and for those around her. These are qualities we should all keep in mind when we stop this week to appreciate the true power of our right to free speech.