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Let's get focused
16
QUESTIONS
05
STUDENTS
01
HOUR
We held a focus group on the 22nd of September 2019 to gain a better understanding of our target audience: students at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Here's what we found:
(WARNING: the results may be shocking!)
(Q):
Should students be allowed to petition the government without fear of losing federal funding or expulsion?
The group answered with a communal agreement that students should be allowed to petition the government without consequences.
(Q):
Should professors and faculty be allowed to sign petitions pertaining to events on campus?
The group communally agreed that students and faculty should be able to sign petitions due to their rights.
(Q):
How do you feel about restrictions on the 1st Amendment to limit hate speech or actions?
All members of the group agreed that restrictions on the First Amendment to limit hate speech would be beneficial to society.
(Q):
Do you think the internet has contributed to the use and rise of hate speech?
All members of the group believe that internet has contributed to the use of hate speech. Many group members agreed that people hide behind anonymity online and the secret identity allows them to bully and use hate speech more frequently. They also said that the easy access of the internet and information has allowed for the rise of hate speech as well.
(Q):
What news sources do you trust the most, if any?
A resounding answer for BBC came when this question was asked. The group agreed that CNN is often "too liberal" and FOX is often "too conservative." A few members claim that they have to fact check each news article for accuracy due to untrustworthiness.
(Q):
Should government leaders be allowed to be guided (or stand on) religious principles?
If he/she campaigned based on reliogus principles and was elected by the people, yes. If he/she did not campaign based on these principles, no.
(Q):
How do you feel about the "flag people" who protest on USM's campus each weekend?
The group felt that, even though they are exercising their rights, the flag represents too much hate and history to be placed back on the campus.
(Q):
Should First Amendment rights be protected in private schools (general education or college)?
No. First Amendment rights protect you against the government, not from private entities.
(Q):
Do you feel like the government does a good job of separating church and state?
(Q) :
Do you believe flag burning protests should be protected under the 1st Amendment?
This question raised two different opinions: yes and no. Out of the five participants, four agreed that the First Amendment protected a citizen’s right to burn a flag in protest. However, one participant believed that flag burning protests should not be protected.
(Q):
Is it acceptable for students or professors to prevent someone from speaking or assembling on campus if the speech is potentially harmful to others?
The group decided that, if the speech is enticing hate and will lead to harmful actions, students and professors can prevent someone from speaking. However, if the speech is only opinionated and will do no harm besides emotional, students and professors should not be able to intervene.
(Q):
Many studies show that Gen Z is the most accepting generation. Do you feel that the Gen Z generation is the most inclusive generation thus far?
The group conceded that Gen Z is one of (if not the most) inclusive generations yet. Much of the group believes that the generation has made strides in acceptance and growth compared to past generations. They also commented that Gen Z is more willing to ask questions and learn, which is beneficial to the betterment of society.
(Q):
Should religion be allowed to be taught in schools?
Religion, decided by the group, could be taught in schools as long as it is not focused on only 1 religion. The teachings must be very diverse and cannot focus solely on a specific religion more than others.
(Q):
Should churches have a higher power over government or vice versa?
Churches should have to present taxes to the government. The government should not be allowed to regulate what is being taught in churches. It should be separate but equal.
(Q):
Should groups inciting hate be allowed to protest on campus?
They countered us with a question: what constitutes as inciting hate? The group wondered if, by stoping someone from speaking or protesting out of fear, how would they be infringing on someone else's rights?
The group did not come to a cohesive decision but felt that the only way to stop someone from speaking is if the speech could physically harm someone.
(Q):
Praying and/or moments of silence in schools. Should it be allowed?
It should be allowed, based on the decisions of the state or school. However, students should not be required to participate. Students should also have the opportunity to pray throughout the day as long as it does not interfere with the education of another student.
They believe that it is hard to separate the truth because morals and beliefs are engrained in everyone's lives. It is hard to separate the two.
How do you feel about flag burning protests?
"I feel like it is very disrespectful to our country. Too many people have died fighting for our country/flag for us to disrespect it. I don’t think they should be protected but at the same I can see where people can argue that its their freedom of expression."
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