Conference examines free speech issues

If Lani Guinier did not have a receptive audience in Washington last year, she certainly found one at the Annenberg Center last night at a conference analyzing free speech. The Law Professor spoke to an auditorium packed with enthusiastic community members who gave her a standing ovation before she even began speaking. Guinier introduced keynote speaker Mari Matsuda for the conference entitled "Race, Gender, and Free Speech -- Censorship, Harassment, Protest," which continues today at Temple University. Last night's discussion involved the regulation of hate speech directed at minorities and women. Matsuda, who is a Professor of Law at Georgetown University, discussed the idea of "progressive civil liberties" and its role in moderating hate speech. She acknowledged that her ideas are generally controversial. "I have met and argued with a great number of critics," Matsuda said. She added that a number of people have called her "politically correct" and "fascist" because of her ideas. But the audience seemed to enjoy her half-hour presentation. "[She brought] a perspective that we haven't seen at this campus," said Elena DiLapi, director of the Penn Women's Center. Matsuda said that she is not out to "ban speech," but to instead fight the overly-simplistic concept of "absolutism." She said that governments cannot absolutely say "We don't ban speech." In fact, Matsuda said, libel and false advertising are already not protected. Matsuda was followed by a three-member panel who argued her points and then answered questions from the audience. Two panelists agreed that some kind of legal regulation is a good idea. But Katha Pollitt, Associate Editor of The Nation, said that censorship is a bad idea, even with issues like pornography. "This is the world we live in," she said. "Pornography is a piece of that world." Matsuda acknowledged that regulation can be a difficult issue. During her speech, Matsuda asked "who will decide what speech harms?" "I'm for restricting assaultive speech?we have to be critical, and put conventional wisdom to the test," she said. Although the third-floor auditorium began to empty out after Matsuda spoke, the large turnout pleased conference organizers. "There are many, many more of you than anticipated," Carol Tracy, executive director of the Women's Law Project, told the audience. She said while only 150 people were expected, over 350 people showed up at the door. A number of prospective audience members were denied admittance due to fire code restrictions.