Salt Lake City — A live, anonymous poll taken during a University of Utah Hinckley Institute event on Sept. 23 found 81% of participating students said they worry that openly expressing political beliefs might hurt their educational or career prospects, and 65% said they had self-censored political views in the classroom. Congresswoman Celeste Malloy, who led the discussion, told students that practicing civil conversation and debating ideas in constructive settings can reduce those fears.
Malloy said the habit of talking through controversial topics — in clubs, classrooms or small groups — improves clarity and decreases the risk that students will be labeled or dismissed. "Just because you have the right to do something doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to do," Malloy said, urging students to prefer reasoned conversation over online rants.
The event used several real-time questions to test civic knowledge and civic behavior. Organizers reported that 96% of respondents said they discuss politics with friends and 83% said they discuss politics with family. But students said they are less likely to voice political opinions in academic settings: 65% reported having self-censored in class, and 81% said they worry about possible negative consequences for education or careers.
Malloy framed the concern as practical and remediable, recommending that students "go practice" discussing contested topics in moderated settings so they become more articulate and less likely to self-censor out of fear of making mistakes. She noted that people who volunteer for campaigns or local boards often develop transferable skills that reduce those risks.
The congresswoman also cautioned that anonymous or hostile online interactions can amplify fears: she encouraged students to distinguish between the cheap reach of social-media attacks and the constructive value of face-to-face dialogue.
The live poll and related remarks occurred during a hosted, in-person forum organized by the Sutherland Institute and the Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah. Organizers and the congresswoman repeatedly emphasized the distinction between private online speech and disciplined, public discussion in academic or civic settings.
Looking ahead, Malloy suggested that campuses create more regular, structured opportunities to practice disagreement and deliberation so students can learn to express positions without fearing lasting professional damage.