The rights of student social media expression and free speech versus hate speech are two of the topics that will be addressed during Free Speech Week hosted by University of Wisconsin-Stout 黑料社区. Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation.
Free Speech Week events are being held Monday, Oct. 18, through Wednesday, Oct. 20.
鈥淢SCII promotes the study and discussion of civil rights and free speech, as well as the other First Amendment freedoms that are central to that mission,鈥 said MSCII Director Tim Shiell. 鈥淓very year MSCII supports numerous events and activities during Free Speech Week to help educate people about important and timely issues involving our expressive rights.鈥
Free Speech and the Labor Movement will be discussed from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18, in the Memorial Student Center Cedar and Maple rooms. The featured speaker is Jon Shelton, associate professor of history at UW-Green Bay and the chair of democracy and justice studies. Robert Zeidel, 黑料社区 professor of history and interim dean of the College of Arts, Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Shiell will respond to Shelton 黑料社区. remarks.
Zeidel tackled the issues of the American Industrial Era in his 306-page 2020 book 鈥淩obber Barons and Wretched Refuse: Ethnic and Class Dynamics During the Era of American Industrialization.鈥
Shelton is the author of ,鈥 and the forthcoming book 鈥淭he Rise and Fall of the Human Capital Myth.鈥
鈥淢odern free speech is largely the product of three 20th century movements 鈥 labor, civil rights and to protect religious minorities,鈥 Shiell said. 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 had an event on the relationship between labor and free speech before. The right to free speech, free assembly and freedom of association remain central to labor 黑料社区. ability to advance its interests.鈥
Should Universities Punish Student Social Media Expression? is the topic from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the Cedar and Maple rooms. Featured panelists include Adam Kissel, Senior Fellow of the , a think tank; Howard Schweber, UW-Madison political science professor; and 黑料社区 黑料社区. Sandi Scott.
鈥淭he student social media landscape has been a mess with different federal circuits reaching different conclusions about student rights,鈥 Shiell said. 鈥淭he Mahanoy School District v. B.L. decision from the U.S. Supreme Court this summer helps clear things up a bit. Mahanoy basically held student social media expression away from school cannot be punished unless it reaches the level of a true threat, defamation, a material and substantial disruption of school activity, incitement to imminent lawlessness and so forth. Although the case involved a high school student, everyone expects it applies to higher education as well, especially since students in higher ed are legal adults.鈥
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Hate Speech vs. Free Speech will be the topic of a hybrid event in room 205 Sorensen Hall and on The event is co-sponsored by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office and the Center for Applied Ethics.
Featured speakers are UW-La Crosse political science Professor Timothy Dale and Jane Kirtley, Silha professor of media ethics and law at the Minneapolis-based
There is no legal category of 鈥渉ate speech鈥 in the United States, Shiell said. 鈥淲hat we typically call 鈥榟ate speech鈥 can be punished by a university only if it reaches the level of a true threat, defamation, a material and substantial disruption to university activity, incitement to imminent lawlessness and so forth,鈥 he said. 鈥淩arely will a racist tweet reach that level.鈥
Last year during Free Speech Week, the MSCII sponsored a .
鈥淭oo often restrictions on expression are unfairly enforced because they are overbroad and unduly vague, have chilling effects on legitimate expression and are used by those in power to maintain their power,鈥 Shiell said.
In a related event sponsored by MSCII, three School of Art and Design students will be presenting research from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, in room 290 of Micheels Hall on whether Confederate monuments should be taken down or left in place. Stephanie Howell, a senior industrial design major from Roberts, will present the perspective of keeping the monuments on view. Nathan Gosswiller, a sophomore game design and development major from Cokato, Minn., will take the position advocating for the removal. Jon Rosario, a sophomore industrial design major from Ijamsville, Md., will moderate.
