Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-6-2018
Graduation Year
2020
Abstract
On September 26, 2018, the United States House of Representatives held a debate to discuss policies that may inhibit free speech in colleges across the country. A variety of free speech advocates were invited by Congress to join the conversation, and each presented a unique perspective. The hearing was a response to university policies that aim to combat hate speech, but which may actually be First Amendment violations. Hate speech is speech that attacks an individual or group based on a protected characteristic, such as race, religion, or sexual identity. This definition paints a clear picture of why hate speech is undesirable. One may wonder why anybody would support the expression of such atrocities, but the reasoning is more fundamental than the obvious truth that it wrongfully hurts members of the population.
This post was originally published on the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal website on October 6, 2018. The original post can be accessed via the Archived Link button above.
Recommended Citation
Samolsky, Stephen, "Is the First Amendment in Danger on College Campuses?" (2018). AELJ Blog. 177.
https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/aelj-blog/177
