Lecture Notes: Free Expression and the Future

Opening Remarks

• Acknowledgment of Elijah Cummings, an icon for equality and social progress.
• Importance of discussing free expression and voice in current times.

Personal Reflection on Voice

• Experience during college when the U.S. went to war in Iraq.
• Feeling of powerlessness amidst social issues.
• Early version of Facebook aimed to give people a voice and connect communities.
• Growth of student groups and initiatives as a result of increased expression.
• Key Lesson: Individual voices contribute to societal progress.

Core Principles

• Focus on two main ideas: voice and inclusion.
  • History shows that greater expression leads to a more inclusive society.
  • Commitment to mutual respect for expression is essential for progress.

Challenges to Free Expression

• Divisive Views:
  • Some believe more voices lead to division.
  • Concern that political outcomes may overshadow the importance of free expression.

Historical Context

• Historical examples where free expression led to societal change:
  • Civil Rights Movement: Free expression as a fundamental right.
  • Global examples of suppressed speech leading to calls for democracy.

Evolution of Free Speech in the U.S.

• Significant Legal Cases:
  • Schenck vs. United States (1919): Limited free speech protections.
  • New York Times vs. Sullivan (1960s): Established protections for criticism of public figures.
• Current Landscape: Over 2 billion people can express themselves via platforms like Facebook.

The Role of Technology

• Technology has decentralized power, enabling broader voices.
• Challenges: Concerns about centralized control by tech platforms.

Three Major Threats to Free Expression

1. Legal Threats:
   • Growing laws that undermine human rights globally.
   • The rise of countries like China imposing their speech restrictions.
2. Platform Control:
   • Responsibility of companies like Facebook to ensure fair speech.
   • Establishment of an independent oversight board for content decisions.
3. Cultural Challenges:
   • Growing impulse to restrict speech in response to social tensions.
   • Need for a shared understanding of tolerance and expression.

Call to Action

• Need to reaffirm commitment to free expression despite challenges.
• Importance of Dialogue: Democracy relies on open discussions.
• Future Outlook:
  • Need to work through current issues collaboratively.
  • Emphasis on progress arising from individual stories and voices.

Conclusion

• The future relies on collective efforts for voice and expression.
• Importance of recognizing stakes involved in free expression.
• Final Thoughts: Belief in people and the power of voices to forge a better future.