The Young Americans for Freedom’s purpose is to promote free speech on college campuses as a non-partisan, non-profit organization. The organization is a product of the Young America’s Foundation that has chapters throughout the United States.
As stated on its website, the Young America’s Foundation was developed in a commitment to increasing the number of young Americans that “are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, strong national defense, free enterprise and traditional values.”
While William F. Buckley Jr. first established this organization in 1960, the Kennesaw State chapter was established during 2012-13. Last semester, the chapter was re-established and Jaime Hahn has been its chairperson since.
“The goal is to promote free speech on college campuses and help bring speakers to schools in an effort to offset the liberal bias dictating higher education right now,” Hahn said.
Hahn said liberal bias is not as great of an issue at KSU as it is nationwide. YAF’s goal is to see a more neutral classroom, rather than one swung to either the left or the right. In her experience, those with a more conservative viewpoint are often shut down by both peers and professors.
The organization encourages those that feel a similar way to join. Like most organizations, membership requests are done through Owl Life. No experience is required to join.
“It doesn’t take much more than a willingness to show up at meetings and events and maybe help man a table at one point or another,” Hahn said.
Katie Pavlich, an author and Fox News contributor, will be joining YAF to share her insights on today’s media being used to feed the “liberal bias” at its first major event on March 7 at 5 p.m. The event is open to everyone, regardless of viewpoints or beliefs.
YAF can be followed on Twitter @yafksu and Instagram @yaf_ksu for more details about both the organization and details for future meetings and events.