How far we've come on free speech

As a society, we have come a long way in my adult life.

In 1974, if a local school board member in a public meeting stated the opinion they would prefer a homosexual for school superintendent the community would be in an uproar.

The school board meetings would be SRO, pickets, protests, children would be removed from the class room, the member's sanity and fitness to serve would be questioned, fellow board members would denounce their peer and outcries for immediate resignation would abound.

It gives me great joy to know those days are gone and my grandchildren will inherit a society where an elected school board member can express a personal opinion, socially acceptable or not, on school personnel or policy without fear of an emotional mob's tar and feathers.

Dan Donahue

Libertyville