The new wave of political correctness has almost silenced free speech and debate within universities. We can no longer talk openly and honestly without fear of offending some group in society. We can no longer criticise bad ideas and adopt the Socratic method of talking through these ideas to make a difference not only within our universities but in wider society as well. We can't criticise religion because of fear of violent backlash, we can't talk openly about gender and transsexuality, we can't wear Halloween costumes for fun because of their perceived invidious nature and we most certainly can't debate these things openly because we are sacrificing our freedom of speech in order to appease those who might get offended. This needs to stop, especially within universities where ideas and ideologies need to be challenged.

There is many among us, secularists, atheists, humanists, religious moderates, academics, scholars, liberals, conservatives, neo-conservatives and many more, who think we should not be sacrificing our freedom to openly discuss ideas within our academic departments and in general society. We are all wanting to see a change, and change needs to happen soon before censorship penetrates throughout the entirety of our free society.

The solution is open discussion, not hatred or invidious speech but getting together and talking honestly and being able to express ourselves in accordance with who we are and what we want to do. If we want to dress up as transsexuals for Halloween then let us, if we want criticise religion (not religious people) then let us, if we want to disagree on any given issue then let us and be proud that we do, be proud of a society that breeds free speech.

Stop the growing censorship of our universities and society and advocate for free speech!