Petition Letter to the UVSS: Implement a “Democracy Wall”

Michael John Lo
Nov 1 · 2 min read

Aug 13, 2019

Amended Oct 31, 2019

To the UVSS:

I have recently been reminded of the importance of having spaces of peer communication and dialogue after spending some time in Hong Kong, where these fundamental pillars of liberal democracy are currently being challenged and eroded. In the spirit of UVSS’s constitution, specifically 1a) and 1d) where the UVSS is meant to:

1a) to provide a common framework within which students can communicate, exchange information, and share experience, skills and ideas

1d) to facilitate cooperation among students in organizing services which supplement the learning experience, provide for human needs, and which develop a sense of community with our peers and with other member of society

I am hereby proposing that the UVSS should utilize a prominent and easily accessible space in the sub (specifically but not limited to the blackboard wall facing the basement stairs next to uvss offices) and transform it into a space of free speech & engagement for students, staff, and faculty.

I envision a space where one can share their personal opinions, exchange their views on school policies, political point of views or academic theories in a constructive and community building way.

While I understand that there are obvious concerns regarding personal attacks, advertisements, hate speech, defamatory and inaccurate news, I believe that the presence of a properly guided place of engagement and free speech will be beneficial to the University as a whole.

This practice of having a space for community, political, academic, and personal engagement has been active in the world of Hong Kong academia since 1989 in the form of ‘Democracy walls’, and I’ve also come across examples of these spaces across the world. If the UVSS is concerned with the practical implementation of this proposal, I welcome you to take inspiration from fellow academic institutes across the world, who have had more than thirty years to strike the delicate balance of practicality and liability. Feel free ask me more specific questions — if you require assistance in obtaining any of the guidelines and practices that other universities use in their spaces, I am more than happy to help in anyway.

Michael Lo

michaello@uvic.ca

If you wish to add your name to the petition, click here.

Michael John Lo

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Aspiring musician, writer, and student. You’re reading bits and pieces of an internet scrapbook of thoughts, homework, and discarded stories.

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