Campus Free Speech Realities And Myths | Lee Rowland | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Summary

In this impassioned speech, Lee Rowland defends the First Amendment, emphasizing its importance in protecting free speech even for controversial figures. Rowland dispels common myths about the amendment, such as the belief that words can't hurt or that hate speech isn't protected. Using historical cases and current events, Rowland illustrates the amendment's role in empowering individuals to challenge authority and resist censorship, advocating for a robust exercise of free speech rights.

Takeaways

• 📜 The First Amendment was central to the culture war on American campuses, including the University of Nevada, Reno, where two students became infamous for their controversial speech.
• 🔥 Peter Cytanovic, associated with white nationalism, and Colin Kaepernick, who protested racial injustice, both faced calls for expulsion but were protected by the First Amendment.
• 🗣️ The speaker argues against the idea of lowering protections for certain types of speech, such as hate speech, as it can be a slippery slope and lead to government censorship.
• 🚫 The speaker, a progressive, warns that giving the government the power to decide what is hateful could be dangerous, using President Trump's differing views on Charlottesville and NFL players as an example.
• 🤔 The script challenges the common myth that 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,' emphasizing that words do have power and should not be dismissed.
• 🎓 The speaker addresses the issue of provocative speakers on campuses, suggesting that silencing them is not the answer but rather strategies like counter-protests or alternative events should be used.
• 📚 The First Amendment protects even hateful speech, as illustrated by the Supreme Court case involving a KKK leader, emphasizing the high bar for the government to punish speech.
• 🌟 The script highlights the importance of ensuring constitutional rights are evenly distributed, using the NAACP's success in leveraging the First Amendment as an example.
• 💪 The speaker praises students for their resilience in facing provocative speech on campus, refuting the notion that they are 'snowflakes' and instead calling them 'badasses'.
• 🎵 The script concludes with the idea that the First Amendment is essential for societal change and that it should be embraced in all its 'messiness'.

Q & A

What was the central theme of the discussion in the University of Nevada, Reno?

The central theme was the First Amendment and its role in protecting free speech, particularly in the context of two controversial figures, Peter Cytanovic and Colin Kaepernick, and their respective speech acts.

Why did Peter Cytanovic become infamous according to the script?

Peter Cytanovic became infamous because a picture of him holding a tiki torch at the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville went viral, making him the face of white nationalism.

What action by Colin Kaepernick sparked controversy and is mentioned in the script?

Colin Kaepernick sparked controversy by taking a knee during the National Anthem to highlight police brutality and racial injustice.

What is the speaker's stance on the idea of lowering protections for certain types of speech?

The speaker is against lowering protections for speech, arguing that it's dangerous and that the First Amendment should protect all opinions from government censorship and retaliation.

Why does the speaker argue that the government should not have the power to decide who is too hateful to speak?

The speaker argues against giving the government this power because it could lead to a situation where the government, which might have a different view of what constitutes hate speech, could silence voices that are critical of the status quo or of those in power.

What are the three myths about the First Amendment that the speaker wants to address?

The three myths are: 1) Words cannot hurt us, 2) Hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment, and 3) Today's students are overly sensitive or 'snowflakes.'

Why does the speaker believe that words matter and that it's important to acknowledge their power?

The speaker believes that words matter because they can have real-world consequences and can be used to incite violence or perpetuate harmful ideologies. Acknowledging their power is essential for understanding the importance of free speech and the need to protect it.

What historical case does the speaker reference to argue that hate speech can be protected under the First Amendment?

The speaker references the case of Charles Brandenburg, a KKK leader, whose speech was deemed protected under the First Amendment by the Supreme Court because it did not pose an immediate and specific risk of violence.

How does the speaker suggest responding to provocateurs and trolls who seek to be censored?

The speaker suggests not giving in to the desire to censor provocateurs and trolls, as doing so feeds into their narrative and power. Instead, one should refuse to be goaded into a fight or to play the role of censor.

What does the speaker mean when they say that students are 'badasses' and why?

The speaker refers to students as 'badasses' because they have to endure and navigate the challenges posed by the First Amendment on campus, such as having to pass by individuals with hateful views on their way to class. The speaker admires their resilience in the face of these challenges.

What are the three practical rules for exercising free speech rights that the speaker suggests?

The three practical rules are: 1) Know your history and ensure that rights extended to the powerful also benefit everyone, 2) Don't try to silence your way out of a debate, and 3) Dance to your own tune by figuring out your own strategies for responding to speech you abhor.