The free speech movement came to front and center in U.S. higher education during the 1960s and 1970s when protests over the Viet Nam war, civil rights, and other issues were gaining greater visibility among youth. With the current political climate of the U.S. more openly contentious than it has been in recent memory, students have come back to the idea of free speech and drafted a reaffirmation statement that they plan to share broadly among campuses in the U.S.
Free speech is a value in many other areas around the world but it is bound in specific political contexts. Since U.S. educational practices often cause a ripple in other countries, international educators are likely to need to be aware of the ideas emerging in the U.S. and then determine what boundaries and conditions would be useful in their own cultural setting.
A very important rationale to keep in mind when exploring free speech is the impact on critical thinking and the exploration of topics/perspectives different from one's own. As the student authors of the statement indicate, "A central purpose of education is to teach students to challenge themselves and engage with opposing perspectives. Our ability to listen to, wrestle with and ultimately decide between contending viewpoints fosters mutual understanding as well as personal and societal growth. The active defense of free and open discourse is crucial for our society to continue to thrive as a democracy premised on the open debate of ideas."
Free speech is a value in many other areas around the world but it is bound in specific political contexts. Since U.S. educational practices often cause a ripple in other countries, international educators are likely to need to be aware of the ideas emerging in the U.S. and then determine what boundaries and conditions would be useful in their own cultural setting.
A very important rationale to keep in mind when exploring free speech is the impact on critical thinking and the exploration of topics/perspectives different from one's own. As the student authors of the statement indicate, "A central purpose of education is to teach students to challenge themselves and engage with opposing perspectives. Our ability to listen to, wrestle with and ultimately decide between contending viewpoints fosters mutual understanding as well as personal and societal growth. The active defense of free and open discourse is crucial for our society to continue to thrive as a democracy premised on the open debate of ideas."
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