Nadine Strossen on Free Speech

In her new book HATE: Why We Should Resist it With Free Speech, Not Censorship (Oxford University Press, May 2018) Nadine Strossen, president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1991 to 2008, argues that expanding free speech, not limiting it, is the solution for changing the hearts and minds of those who espouse hateful ideologies. She dispels many of the myths and misunderstandings that have permeated the debates about what constitutes “hate speech,” including what is and isn’t protected language, and affirms that we don’t have to choose between civil rights and civil liberties, or between free speech and equality.

Strossen’s powerful argument promises to elevate the conversation around why freedom of speech cannot mean freedom to express popular sentiment only. We must tolerate all speech even when it supports intolerance, or we may find we’ve given away our own right to speak against it. As Thomas Paine noted, “He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."

This event is co-hosted with the Federalist Society. All attendees will receive a free copy of the book. 

Room 6

820 Connelly Ave.

Columbia, MO