Join VCPI on October 20th at 12pm (online) for our next lunch & learn program: "Must Free Speech Endure Hate Speech?" with Prof. Meg Mott. This special event is free & open to all.

The First Amendment prevents Congress from passing any laws that abridge the freedom of speech. But what does that actually mean? In this presentation, Mott considers the history of speech laws in the United States, how states and municipalities have tried to curb offensive speech, and how the Supreme Court has ruled on those efforts.

She’ll also discuss how speech fits into the life cycle of our democracy. While some argue that limits on speech are necessary for marginalized persons to feel welcome in the public sphere, others argue that the criminalization of speech serves the needs of the penal state more than the general public.

All arguments are welcome as we make full use of our reasoning powers to bring the First Amendment to life!

After twenty years of teaching political theory and constitutional law to Marlboro College undergraduates, Prof. Meg Mott has taken her love of argument to the general public.

Sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. Pre-register via Zoom.