Promer: 'We need to promote free speech'

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, "Congress shall make no law?abridging freedom of speech or of the press." Across the country, access to this right is considered fundamental, whether in a personal or professional capacity. But at the same time, the controversy over the right to freedom of expression when it may be offensive to others rages not only here at the University, but at college campuses across the country. Other controversial incidents include the "water buffalo" racial harassment case last spring, instances of anti-Semitic graffiti, racially-motivated harassing phone calls and negative reaction to Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Days programming this fall. These incidents have turned the issue of free speech rights into a heated debate on campus. And the nation has seen the waging of similar battles. A sit-in by Latino students demanding greater representation at Cornell University, protests against an officially-sanctioned speech by Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam at New Jersey's Kean College, and the confiscation of newspapers at campuses across the country have garnered national media attention because of their close connection to the issue of freedom of speech. Free speech is a hot topic which consistently makes headlines. This week, The Daily Pennsylvanian and The Vision collaborate on a series this week to explore the issues of free speech and civility and to shed light on a debate often left unresolved. During the week, the series will explore the history of free speech at the University, the issue of defining civility, free speech and political correctness, and the implications of ongoing free speech debates for future policies, here at the University and at college campuses around the country. Today, a look at free speech in academia: courses offered in the field of free expression and faculty perspectives on freedom of speech, inside and outside of the classroom.