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"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

– Martin Luther King Jr.
"No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them."

– Elie Wiesel
"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."

– Martin Luther King Jr.
"Someone who hates one group will end up hating everyone – and, ultimately, hating himself or herself."

– Elie Wiesel
"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."

– Martin Luther King Jr.
"Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must—at that moment—become the center of the universe."

– Elie Wiesel
"Cowardice asks the question, 'is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, 'is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right."

– Martin Luther King Jr.
"Words can be turned into spears. They can be turned into prayers. It’s a strange world that you are in. But you deal with words."

– Elie Wiesel
"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

– Martin Luther King Jr.
"I still believe in man in spite of man. I believe in language even though it has been wounded, deformed, and perverted by the enemies of mankind. And I continue to cling to words because it is up to us to transform them into instruments of comprehension rather than contempt. It is up to us to choose whether we wish to use them to curse or to heal, to wound or to console."

– Elie Wiesel
"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

– Martin Luther King Jr.

WHY WE EXIST

Though far from perfect, few universities match BU’s open-minded, inquisitive, and forward-looking tradition. Historically, it has been an institution that fearlessly pushed against homogenous thinking and conformity to support world-advancing individual achievements across many fields. It is BU’s specific support of those who bravely unified humanity via the freedom of speech and expression that is most central to its story and place in history.

BUFSA exists to engage all BU alumni, as well as students, faculty, staff, and others, in civilized dialogue and discourse to celebrate and perpetuate the fundamental human right at the core of America’s and Boston University’s legacy – the freedom of speech and expression.

WHAT WE DO

We exist to unite the BU community and counter intolerance, group think, and false narratives — all of which threaten the cornerstones of a functional liberal democracy and the foundation of a liberal arts education.

BUFSA provides support and resources to advance the freedom of speech and expression for BU alumni, and beyond, with events and experiences designed to build mutual respect, understanding and community.

BUFSA is committed to:

Uniting BU alumni and the broader community to advance free speech principles on the Boston University campus and across the globe.
Creating opportunities for dialogue with people across the cultural and political spectrum to engage in civil discourse.
Leveraging the pursuit of truth, critical thinking, and diversity of thought to promote an environment for mindful disagreement and constructive consensus.