At this panel, we ask just how “free” is free speech? How do we protect space for dissent? From “gag rules” prohibiting abolitionist views on the congressional floor to anarchists and communists being deported or imprisoned for sedition; and from obscenity laws to women’s right to birth control, Americans have often pushed the boundaries of politically acceptable speech, and faced robust resistance.

This event looks at historical moments where strident expressions of political thought, widely perceived to be anti-democratic in their own place and time, provoked new strictures.

Moderator:

Brett Gadsden, author of the upcoming book From Protest to Politics: How African Americans Transformed the Presidency

Panelists:

Barbara Krauthamer, co-author of Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery

Claire Potter, author of Political Junkies: From Talk Radio to Twitter, How Alternative Media Hooked Us on Politics and Broke Our Democracy

Geoffrey R. Stone, author of the upcoming book Social Media, Freedom of Speech, and The Future of Our Democracy

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