Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University School of Law is pleased to announce that Nadine Strossen, New York Law School John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, Emerita, will deliver its 43rd signature Foulston Siefkin scholarly lecture.
"Why Should Hatemongers and Extremists Have Free Speech Rights" will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 12:30 on ZOOM. The presentation will focus on how hate speech should be treated under the First Amendment.
We regularly hear charges that certain speech, including on campuses and social media, constitutes 'hate speech' that should be censored. Strossen shares the important goals of censorship proponents: equality, dignity, diversity, inclusivity, and societal harmony. However, having studied the actual impact of censorship around the world and throughout history, she concludes that censorship is ineffective, and even counterproductive, for promoting these goals. Along with other human rights activists, Strossen concludes that anti-hate-speech laws disproportionately suppress the voices and causes of the traditionally marginalized groups that hate speech laws seek to benefit. She urges that more constructive steps for countering discrimination and violence focus on discriminatory attitudes and actions, through 'counterspeech' and vigorous enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, including laws against 'hate crimes.'
Strossen is a past president of the American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008). She is a leading expert and frequent speaker/media commentator on constitutional law and civil liberties. Strossen has testified before Congress on multiple occasions. She serves on the advisory boards of the ACLU, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), Heterodox Academy, and National Coalition Against Censorship. The National Law Journal has named Strossen one of America's "100 Most Influential Lawyers," and several other publications have named her one of the country's most influential women. Strossen's many honorary degrees and awards include the American Bar Association's prestigious Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. Her 2018 book, "HATE: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship," has been widely praised by ideologically diverse experts. Her earlier book, "Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights," was named a New York Times "notable book" of 1995.
For more information, and to register for the event, see: https://washburnlaw.edu/publications/wlj/foulston/2021.html
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Editor’s Note
Washburn University School of Law was founded in 1903 with 41 students enrolled in the first class. It’s been ABA accredited since 1923. More than 110 years later, our worldwide network of nearly 7,000 alumni includes nationally recognized lawyers, state and federal judges, Kansas Supreme Court Justices, politicians, television journalists and senior executives of Fortune 500 companies and national legal associations. Washburn University School of Law’s tradition of excellence in teaching is enhanced by its six Centers for Excellence: the Business and Transactional Law Center, the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, the Center for Law and Government, the Children and Family Law Center, the International and Comparative Law Center, and the Oil and Gas Law Center. For more information about Washburn Law, visit www.washburnlaw.edu.
