Electronically Transmitted Threats and Higher Education: Oppression, Free Speech, and Jake Baker

When Jake Baker wrote a violent, sexually themed story about one of his classmates and emailed it to a friend, the case that ensued highlighted how new technologies have created fresh ways for students to harass, oppress, or be oppressed by others. This article examines concepts of violence and cultural imperialism oppression, primarily as defined by Iris Young. Using the Baker case, this article juxtaposes oppression concepts and freedom of speech protections. It concludes that universities must use network technologies to become proactively involved in the virtual communities that surround them.