Free speech has re-emerged in recent years as a significant political rallying cry, as political polarization and shifting cultural sensitivities have worked to intensify the struggles in many democratic countries over the boundaries of acceptable speech. These struggles are far from new, but in the contemporary context emerging media platforms have presented new challenges to the regulation and protection of open expression. In this environment, businesses and civil-society organizations throughout the world contend with issues of political speech and related boycotts, while in the U.S., social and legal developments require us to rethink our interpretations and implementation of the First Amendment.
In its 2020-2021 theme year, FREE SPEECH BATTLES, The Andrea Mitchell Center examines both the contentious history of free expression and the ongoing developments that have made it once again a central issue in democratic societies.
Student Speech and Administrative Responses
Thursday, SEPT. 24, 5 pm – 6 pm
Cerri Banks (Skidmore) and Howard Gillman (UC-Irvine)
The Chicago Statement Today
Friday, SEPT. 25, 12 pm – 1:30 pm
Geoffrey Stone (University of Chicago Law School)
Hate and the Boundaries of Speech on Campus
Friday, SEPT. 25, 3:30 pm – 5 pm
Nadine Strossen (New York Law School) and John Powell (Berkeley Law)
Academic Freedom and Student Activism
Tuesday, SEPT. 29, 5 pm – 6:30 pm
Joan Wallach Scott (Institute for Advanced Study) and Samantha Parsons (UnKoch My Campus)
More information about the event and essays by the presenters available online.
FREE SPEECH BATTLES is a year-long program of events organized at the Andrea Mitchell Center. Planning Committee: Sigal Ben Porath, Chair (GSE); Joe Lowry (Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations); Sophia Rosenfeld (History); Amy Sepinwall (Wharton); Jeffrey Green, Mitchell Center Director (Political Science); and Matthew Roth, Mitchell Center Assistant Director.
