The answer to bad speech is more speech. The response to being "doxxed" or "named and shamed" is to (a) stand up for the initial behavior and demonstrate to the public that the response is inappropriate or (b) apologize and rescind - stating that the initial decision to sign the letter or petition was not fully informed.
The answer to bad speech is more speech. The response to being "doxxed" or "named and shamed" is to (a) stand up for the initial behavior and demonstrate to the public that the response is inappropriate or (b) apologize and rescind - stating that the initial decision to sign the letter or petition was not fully informed.
I think you are making a category error. The ONLY purpose for signing a petition or open letter is to take a PUBLIC stand on an issue. The statement is, "I believe in the cause so fervently that I am willing to invest my good name to support it." It is not an action to be taken lightly, nor should it be treated as such.
This is different than, for example, signing a petition in support of a person (or issue) getting onto a ballot. In that case, the number of valid signatures is the thing that does the work, and the identity of the signatories is largely irrelevant. I have signed petitions for ballot access on issues where I eventually decided to vote against the proposition, because I believed that the issue deserved to be fully considered by the electorate.
But, it you sign a letter that says, "The University should do X because [Entity Y} is guilty of [Misconduct Z]", you are investing your good name in that statement.
The answer to bad speech is more speech. The response to being "doxxed" or "named and shamed" is to (a) stand up for the initial behavior and demonstrate to the public that the response is inappropriate or (b) apologize and rescind - stating that the initial decision to sign the letter or petition was not fully informed.
I think you are making a category error. The ONLY purpose for signing a petition or open letter is to take a PUBLIC stand on an issue. The statement is, "I believe in the cause so fervently that I am willing to invest my good name to support it." It is not an action to be taken lightly, nor should it be treated as such.
This is different than, for example, signing a petition in support of a person (or issue) getting onto a ballot. In that case, the number of valid signatures is the thing that does the work, and the identity of the signatories is largely irrelevant. I have signed petitions for ballot access on issues where I eventually decided to vote against the proposition, because I believed that the issue deserved to be fully considered by the electorate.
But, it you sign a letter that says, "The University should do X because [Entity Y} is guilty of [Misconduct Z]", you are investing your good name in that statement.