To the editor:

I think a newspaper should know what free speech means. The Constitution says: ” Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press …”

This is a limitation of the powers of the Congress, though it was extended to the states by the 14th amendment.

It does not limit the actions of the national SAE fraternity, who were shamed by the local chapter. True, the University of Oklahoma is under the state, but it would hardly seem that it would be forced to abandon its mission, which (from the website) includes diversity and a strong sense of community.

And equating the punishment of the students to “political correctness” is utter misuse of language. “Political correctness” refers to marginal actions, such as naming sports teams after Native Americans. It has nothing to do with the image of blacks hanging from a tree.