There is currently a heated debate surrounding freedom of speech at the University of Memphis.
An event organized by Turning Point USA will showcase Kyle Rittenhouse, the young man who was cleared of all accusations after he fired at three individuals – resulting in the deaths of two – amid the unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The jury determined that his actions were in self-defense.
Rittenhouse is scheduled to give a speech on March 20th at the publicly funded institution.
“I look forward to coming out to Memphis and seeing you all there,” he wrote on X.
Black Lives Matter is currently coordinating a demonstration and has made a firm commitment to disrupt the Turning Point event. Tami Sawyer, a former Shelby County Commissioner and a passionate advocate for the rights of black individuals, who is also running for a public office, stands out as one of the most vocal opponents.
“This is despicable,” she wrote on X. “What are you recapping, Kyle? How to kill people and get away with it? How to grift your way into fame by being a racist?”
Sawyer is furious that Rittenhouse, a white man, is giving a speech in a city where the majority of the population is black.
“A school in a city that is majority Black. You’re allowing a racist and murderer to speak on campus,” she wrote on X. “Please help me understand this happening in this 65% black city.”
Anne-Elizabeth Matheny, the TPUSA Ozark Field Representative, strongly criticized the activist group in a recent interview on KWAM News Radio Memphis. “We can’t take away free speech.” Matheny told KWAM. “We’re supposed to encourage all ideologies at a campus of diversity as everyone claims it is … but diversity means including conservative voices thoughts and ideals as well.”
Sawyer condemned those who are “spreading hatred” and proceeded to issue a menacing warning on social media. “I just hope that @uofmemphis knows that if they don’t shut this down, the people will.”
It is undeniable that conservatives are known for their peaceful and law-abiding nature. With that being said, I am confident that individuals like Kyle Rittenhouse and other conservatives possess the capability to effectively deal with any potential threat they may encounter.
