I'm a proponent of academic freedom. But what we need today is a home and an inheritance, not exhortations to defend academic freedom (or other freedoms, for that matter).
Last year at Yale, Erika Christakis authored an altogether sensible email advising students that an overly censorious approach to Halloween costumes defeats the spirit of rebellion and transgression that makes that evening high spirited and fun. This message triggered an uproar. Student mobs launched a public campaign of shaming.
