The State of Maryland vs. pr0n

Somehow I’ve found myself involved in the ongoing issue over screening adult films on University System of Maryland schools. There are a few good articles to read on the subject as it stands right now, but here’s a quick summary: College Park was going to screen an adult film in the student theater, but the state legislature (namely Andy Harris) have threatened to pull all funding from a state school if they choose to show adult films in any context aside from a professor in a classroom. My friend Paula McCusker has been spearheading an effort to screen the film at UMBC in the interest of standing up for free speech and provoking the kind of pointed discussion that makes college such a learning experience.

It is my opinion that adult films are a perfectly legal form of entertainment, so if a group of students want to have a showing in a theater that is paid for by student funds, I think they have that right. Additionally, students who disagree have the right to protest such a showing.

The state legislature, however, has no power to limit constitutionally granted civil liberties, like free speech. Trying to force colleges to comply with their demands by threatening to pull all funding (a move that would effectively shut down an institution) is both disproportionate and ridiculous.

A constructive approach, and what I would like to see happen at UMBC, is an open discussion about adult films preceding the showing of the movie. That way students could express themselves and possibly learn something new. That’s what college is all about.