(NewsWorthy.news) – Freedom of speech campaigners Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott addressed the state of free speech and academic expression at colleges across the United States at an event on March 5, 2024.
Lukianoff, the CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), and Schlott, a writer for the New York Post, attended the event ahead of the release of their new book, “The Canceling of the American Mind.” The pair received invites from Professor Randy Wayne, a fellow from the Cornell Heterodox Academy. The organization seeks to increase the diversity of opinions in education.
Lukianoff, who describes himself as a “left-of-center liberal,” opened the speech by addressing the misconception among young people where free speech is associated with bigotry. He blamed the increase in widespread scrutiny on free speech on campuses over the intense rivalry between political leaders across the political spectrum.
Lukianoff said that powerful people refuse to admit just how much influence they have when it comes to education, adding that the left – despite being in line with his own political beliefs – tends to dominate college education.
Lukianoff also said that it is impossible for people to fully explore alternative views without the freedom to challenge, adding that those in a “knowledge-producing environment” have difficulty on garnering trust when presenting different ideas where a common wisdom already exists.
Schlott, who left New York University after feeling politically isolated as a conservative student, also addressed the concerns over free speech on college campuses. She described freedom of expression as a “a much larger philosophical project” than protecting her point of view, adding her belief that there is a growing understanding of the lack of alternative viewpoints and civil discussion on college campuses.
Colleges across the U.S. continue to struggle with the free speech debate. Cornell, where the discussion was held, ranked as the 32nd worst of 248 universities evaluated in the 2024 College Free Speech Rankings from FIRE.
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