Figure 3-8. Percentage of Respondents Supporting Left- and Right-Leaning Speech, by Party Identity.
| Left-Leaning Speech | Democratic Respondents | Republican Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Burn/Deface the American Flag | 37 | 16 |
| Speech on Campus by Critical Race Theory Supporter | 71 | 60 |
| Kneel/Turn Away During the National Anthem | 73 | 35 |
| Speech on Campus by Transgender Athlete Supporter | 83 | 61 |
| Protests around Racial Injustice | 85 | 56 |
| Right-Leaning Speech | Democratic Respondents | Republican Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Protests Against Certifying the 2020 Election | 39 | 73 |
| Social Media Cos. Removing Trump after Jan. 6 | 12 | 77 |
| Professors Promoting the Views of a Particular Religion | 22 | 35 |
| Speech on Campus by a Judge Who Opposes | 56 | 73 |
Questions and Sources
Burn/Deface Flag: “People should be allowed to burn or deface the American flag as a political statement.” The figure shows the percentage who agree. Knight Foundation-Ipsos, “Free Expression in America Post-2020” (Knight Foundation, 2022).
Allow Critical Race Theorist: “Should a supporter of critical race theory be allowed to speak on campus?” The figure shows the percentage who answer yes. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, “Vanderbilt Unity Poll Explains Why Democracy May Take Center State in this Week’s Presidential Debate—and the Campaign More Broadly,” Vanderbilt University Research News, June 25, 2024.
Kneel/Turn Away During National Anthem: “Do you feel like [kneeling or turning away during the national anthem is a] legitimate or not legitimate example of people expressing their First Amendment rights?” The figure shows the percentage who say legitimate. Knight Foundation-Ipsos, “Free Expression in America Post-2020” (Knight Foundation, 2022).
Allow Head of Transgender Group: “Should the head of a group that supports the rights of transgender athletes be allowed to speak on campus?” The figure shows the percentage who answer yes. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, “Vanderbilt Unity Poll Explains Why Democracy May Take Center State in this Week’s Presidential Debate—and the Campaign More Broadly,” Vanderbilt University Research News, June 25, 2024.
Protest Racial Injustice: “Do you feel like [people taking part in the protests around racial injustice during the summer of 2020 is a] legitimate or not legitimate example of people expressing their First Amendment rights?” The figure shows the percentage who say legitimate. Knight Foundation-Ipsos, “Free Expression in America Post-2020” (Knight Foundation, 2022).
2020 Election Protests: “Do you feel like [taking part in the protests against certifying the 2020 election is a] legitimate or not legitimate example of people expressing their First Amendment rights?” The figure shows the percentage who say legitimate. Knight Foundation-Ipsos, “Free Expression in America Post-2020” (Knight Foundation, 2022).
Social Media Removing Trump: “Does the following action deprive people of their rights to free expression or not? Social media companies removing Donald Trump from their platforms after Jan. 6.?” The figure shows the percentage of who say yes. Knight Foundation-Ipsos, “Free Expression in America Post-2020” (Knight Foundation, 2022).
Professors Promoting Religion: “Do you think professors should be allowed or not to promote their views of a particular religion on campus?” The figure shows the percentage of people who would allow. Source: Data derived from AP-NORC, “Public Perceptions of Freedom of Expression on University Campuses Paints a Complex Picture,” University of Chicago (Oct. 2, 2023).
Judge Speaking on Campus: Do you think “a local judge who opposes gay marriage and abortion allowed to speak” on campus? The figure shows the percentage of people who would allow. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, “Vanderbilt Unity Poll Explains Why Democracy May Take Center State in this Week’s Presidential Debate—and the Campaign More Broadly,” Vanderbilt University Research News, June 25, 2024.