Nadine Strossen

<ul><li><strong>Current Free Speech Controversies</strong></li><li>Not a day goes by without debates about whether particular controversial speech, including on social media, should be restricted because of its harmful impact—including disinformation/misinformation about public health and elections, and hate speech targeting unpopular individuals and marginalized groups. We also hear constant complaints about censorship imposed by government laws and officials—for example, state statutes restricting what can be taught about race and gender—and by Tech Giants and Twittermobs. Are complaints about “cancel culture” exaggerated? Are the Tech Titans silencing too much controversial speech—as some critics contend—or are they not silencing enough harmful speech—as other critics contend? What is the best path for avoiding both dangerous speech and dangerous censorship? Strossen addresses questions about whatever the most urgent, current concerns are, from the most local level, including on particular campuses, to the international level, interweaving basic information about free speech principles and the history that gave rise to them (which are widely misunderstood) with discussion of the harms of both speech and censorship.  </li><li><strong>HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship</strong></li><li>Given the hyper-partisanship and deep divisions that have frayed our society, we constantly hear charges and counter-charges of “hate speech” hurled against countless communications, including statements about vital issues, ranging from “Black Lives Matter” to “All Lives Matter.” Since speech is powerful, and can cause great harm to individuals and society, why do all Supreme Court Justices protect freedom “even for the thought that we hate”? Why shouldn’t online companies deny platforms to haters and terrorists? Why does Nadine Strossen, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, support freedom even for neo-Nazi ideas? Why do advocates of racial justice and human rights – not only in the US, but also around the world – maintain that censoring “hate speech” would actually do more harm than good in promoting the essential goals of equality, dignity, diversity, inclusivity, and societal harmony?  </li><li><strong>Promoting Respectful Discourse and Dialogue Among All People On All Ideas</strong></li><li>Surveys consistently show that most people in the United States deplore our polarized political debates and online echo chambers, while wishing that political and other leaders would more effectively bridge divides and find common ground – while not papering over key disagreements. Moreover, polls demonstrate that we hunger for the opportunity to engage in candid discussions with individuals who differ from us in their identities, experiences, and beliefs. These attitudes are prevalent in campus communities, as well as in our larger society. Nadine Strossen – a prominent advocate of all civil liberties for all people, no matter who they are and no matter what they believe – has had unique experiences in debating against and also collaborating with many political and other leaders with whom she strongly disagrees on important issues, while agreeing on others. For almost two decades she served as the national President of the American Civil Liberties Union (on whose National Advisory Council she still serves), which is politically nonpartisan and effectively works with a broad array of individuals and groups – all across the ideological spectrum -- on particular issues of common concern despite strong disagreements on other important issues. Strossen has witnessed the power of such collaboration to advance human rights (as well as other causes), while also enriching our personal lives and relationships. Additionally, as a longtime law professor and speaker on the campus lecture circuit, Strossen has observed the essential educational value of grappling with a range of perspectives on all issues.</li><li>In her dynamic, interactive presentations, she shares her personal experiences, as well as the fruits of her research, including steps every one of us can take to tear down walls and instead build bridges, thus enhancing our own lives and strengthening our communities.</li></ul>