Money may not be able to buy you love but it sure can put pressure on freedom of speech, one of the cornerstones of our “free and open” society of our constitutional republic.

In a desperate attempt to shut down anti-Jewish protests on college and university campuses, presidents of Harvard, UPenn and MIT were grilled on their respective stances on freedom of speech on their campuses. Equivocation in favor of free and open speech was met abruptly with calls for resignation. But thank goodness, for Harvard as its board of overseers said no: Free speech cannot be bought with Wall Street money. As powerful as the almighty buck might be in certain circles it didn’t “cut it” at Harvard. Historically, Harvard College educated this country’s theologians — the people who oversaw morality and drew distinction between right and wrong, the codes by which we live by.

It’s reassuring to know that our oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education still has the guts — the moral fiber — to stand up for right and wrong and to ensure the fair and democratic principles that have governed this country for so long and so successfully given diversity.

Brad Brigham

Colrain