Keynote addresses: Free Speech on campus

President Sharon Hahs hosted the event on free speech on campus and introduced the guests, Michael Deutsch, from People's Law Office and Jacqueline Battalora, professor from the St. Xavier University on Mar. 5.

"Freedom of speech is an important concept, as it defines the value of democracy but at the same time it is very complex," said Hahs in her introduction, "Freedom has its restrictions and without the governing rules, is left in the hands of those who disrupts it."

Deutsch talked about freedom of speech at campus while Batlahara's topic concerned free speech's conversion into hate speech.

"First, I confess that I am not a First Amendment scholar," said Deutsch, "I have worked with First Amendment violators ranging from communists and terrorists. Corporations have greater resources and influences in a country than a common man and we are put down by big corporations." "It should be noted that the founding fathers initially neglected the First Amendment," said Deutsch, "Remember when the Sedation Law of 1978 was regulated which prevented press to defame government.  People exercising their right of freedom of speech were being convicted with no access to the court. Many papers were closed and people were charged for protesting against all of this... Thus the right of being politically free to make speeches has been critical."

Deutsch then went on to explain how in post 9/11 America dangers to the freedom of speech have been increasing.  He said how the senate declares certain foreign institutions as terrorists, and if they catch anyone giving or donating money to that organization, then they could be arrested and convicted.  It does not matter whether that person is aware of the organization's direct or indirect involvement with any sort of terrorism.               "We live in a climate of fear," said Deutsch, "The universities should allow its students to exercise their right of freedom of speech, as any restriction imposed would serve the government interest at some point."

Deutsch concluded with saying that schools have a critical role to play to make this country more democratic.

Batlahara speech focused on how First Amendment jurisdictions have changed significantly over time.  She then focused this to her free speech/hate speech talk.

"The government is the enemy of freedom of speech, while law is also essentially political," said Battalora, "So the critical race theorists and feminists began with the keen awareness of race and sex discriminations and they struggle to achieve substantive justice, thus critical race theorists and feminists have always been challenging government policies and restrictions."

Furthermore, Battalora explained that speaking against any public official is considered wrong and discriminating, while defaming a common person is not.  Battalora then said how there is nothing neutral about the doctrine, as critical race theorists and feminists pointed out that it is a male dominated doctrine, which is not giving women the right opportunity they deserve. "We are in a very fragile and serious period, in this age of terrorism we are limited to our speech," said Battalora, "...but don't give in to this fear and exercise your right to the freedom of speech."

"Hate speech has always been forcefully silenced; this allowed the speech to disintegrate the First Amendment," said Batlahara as she concluded her talk.