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Freedom of Expression & 民间话语

McDonogh School teaches students 如何 想 和 not 什么 想. 作为LifeReady, our academic vision, 承诺, McDonogh graduates “self-reliant, critical 认为ers who can form, 测试, 和 revise their ideas—for themselves, 和 in the service of others.” To develop these abilities 和 to be truly inclusive 和 respectful, teachers 和 students must invite 和 analyze all debatable ideas 和 points of view. Critical reasoning remains a core competency for college 和 career, but just as importantly, the ability to 理解, 评估, 和 act on ideas responsibly prepares students for healthy democratic participation for life.

While a culture of inclusion protects freedom of expression, such protection does not render all knowledge 和 opinion equally “true.”  For students to construct the most complete 理解ing of a disputable issue or concept, they must build such knowledge for themselves. This requires the hard work of analysis, perspective-taking, debate, reflection, 和 application. Through such methods, we honor the diversity of thought in a pluralist culture as we work towards sound, evidence-based positions 和 conclusions. Members of our community may find certain ideas that emerge when wrestling with sensitive topics untenable—even offensive—from time to time; in such moments of friction, 然而, we can help our students learn to resolve conflict, 要善于推理, 和 to communicate their own positions. 

McDonogh must also be a forum where diverse points of view can be discussed, 评估, 挑战, more fully understood, 和, 适当的, 采取行动. We believe that students will graduate with knowledge 和 with the ability to arrive at thoughtful beliefs, developed through civil discourse—strategies 和 interpersonal behaviors that help people to listen, 分享, 理解, 认为, 和 debate—so that they become trusted stewards of democracy. McDonogh lays the groundwork for teaching strong reasoning 和 for civic participation when students have the freedom to express their considered ideas in safe 和 productive ways.

Free Speech, 民间话语 & The Role of Education

McDonogh expects freedom of expression to produce passionate, spirited debate from time to time. The School believes deeply in the value of freedom of expression 和 civil discourse 和 is willing to risk unrehearsed moments when language has the potential to offend. 事实上, 作为一个学校, McDonogh anticipates such unintended instances, for they provide opportunities for teaching about 如何 we may better engage in productive, respectful civil discourse 和 debate—even when we may continue to disagree about ideas. 语言, 故意 危害, 盲目, or threatens the safety of a person or group, 然而, is not aligned with our values. As a result of this commitment, McDonogh intends to graduate students who live 和 act through strong democratic principles who will mature into model citizens of superb character 和 service.