Editor’s note: the following was written by Irena Schneider of the American University Students For Liberty.
Classes started August 24, and we hit the ground running for liberty at American University. Some may wonder, how do you spread the word of liberty the first couple of days back? Surely, it must take lots of money. It must take lots of speakers. It must take huge connections. It must take a lot of people.
Nonsense. It takes none of those things to reveal to a campus why liberty is important. Get a few friends, a table, some paper, a printer, and some courage (and permission, if needed).
Wednesday morning, we set up a table at 11 am and started our risky venture in advertising a lately unpopular idea in universities: academic freedom. The expenditure? $6 on sidewalk chalk and tape. In front of our table, we drew a large circle (call it the circle of shame, if you must). Right above the circle, our banner read: “Step into the circle if you: are white, are afraid of showing affection in public, are afraid of dark alleys.” Made of taped paper, this was our “mock” freshman orientation.
These were questions asked of freshman at orientation in the University of Delaware a couple of years ago, illustrating one of the worst instances of indoctrination in universities in recent history (check out this shocking case here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EbQfmVoOfM). For three hours we stood in the baking heat. People stared, pointed fingers, and were at first hesitant to find out what was going on. Campus police started circling around our table (though would conveniently find that no matter how much they monitored us, curtailing our free speech would be the last thing they wanted to do). We smiled and confidently continued to talk to passersby. To those who got close enough, we handed out fliers and explained the story of U Delawar
e, how it relates to student rights, the importance of academic freedom, and its relevance to AU (when we were freshmen, we were also required to go through various exercises in which we had to stand in lines, step forward if we answered in certain ways to questions that would separate us based on race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc, and we would be able to alienate those who did not agree with us). As people trickled to the table, most responded with concern and anger at these policies. We were able to give out about 50-60 fliers to our “Indoctrinate U at AU” event the following evening.
At one point, a group of about 10-15 students crowded a small distance away from the table, so I took the opportunity and started to hand out fliers and explain to the entire group what we were doing. Soon, because people saw a crowd, more and more joined, and I ended up explaining the importance of academic freedom and lessons from U Delaware to a group of about 30 students.
We had some really great debates about this topic with several students and even faculty. We met new libertarian students, and engaged those who disagreed with us in some great conversations. Some students happily jumped into the circle and joked around with us, some were shy, some offended, and most were intrigued.
The following night we showed “Indoctrinate U” and engaged in a very meaningful debate afterward about the meaning of academic freedom at AU. We shared our own stories, and went on to discuss our role in the 
university to help combat the streamlining of academic thought. In the end I think we were all much more confident and uplifted by our mutual encouragement, advice, and support. It was a great way of starting to foster a sense of community within the AU Students For Liberty. I was very pleased that our conversation was very genuine and respectful from all sides. It didn’t take much – a few good friends, $6, and some bravery. We’ve just finished week one and I’m happy to say, we’re already starting to make a small difference where it matters.
