How often have we heard it now?

“Our goal was to disrupt the event.”

“Free speech =/= Hate speech”

“I don’t want to debate. I want to talk about my pain.”

To anyone paying attention, it’s clear that those of us defending free speech and those decrying it are largely talking past each other.

Professors who see student reporters as threats and student activists who call free expression a “tool of oppression” are missing something big.

For those of us who “get it” this all seems pretty absurd. How could anyone think that way?

We forget that we weren’t born with an appreciation for free speech or a knowledge of its history. We may know that many people fought and died for these rights because, before them, things were a lot worse. But not everyone knows that and, I’m willing to bet, most of those attacking free speech could use a refresher course in this history of rights.

The good news is that you can help! With the support of SFL’s Speak Freely campaign – and a new pamphlet we’ve produced to make the case for speech on campus – you can fill in the gaps for your classmates, professors, and friends. It’s a modern adaptation of J.S. Mill and includes some examples of especially egregious speech restrictions that (we hope!) would give anyone pause.

After you download it, be sure to click below and apply for a #SpeakFreely grant of up to $250 towards free speech activism, available until April 30th!

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