Oct. 18-24 is National Freedom of Speech Week. To celebrate, the College’s speech communication department will host a one-day event, including an exhibit and debate, on Wednesday, Oct. 20. A Freedom of Speech Exhibit will be held in Pfeiffer Hall, room 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daylong exhibit will include examples when freedom of speech has been challenged in the areas of music, art, clothing and other cultures; books that have been banned; and noted exceptions to the first amendment. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to visit throughout the day.
A debate will begin at 4 p.m. in room 25, Pfeiffer Hall, and will focus on a hot topic currently before the U.S. Supreme Court: “Should Protesting at Funerals be Considered Protected Speech?” North Central’s state champion debaters—Nicole Autry ’11, Patrick Burfield ’11, William Miller ’12 and David Depino ’12—will lead the debate.
John Stanley, assistant professor of speech communication, assistant director of forensics and director of individual events, says, “Our goal in putting together the exhibit was to promote dialogue about freedom of speech and even encourage discussion beyond the exhibit. This is the first year the speech communication department has held this event and we hope everyone on campus will participate.”