Table of Contents
New FIRE Video: Jonathan Rauch ‘In Defense of Being Offensive’
“We can’t trust anybody in authority to make smart decisions for us about what’s the acceptable point of view.” So says author and Brookings Institution scholar Jonathan Rauch in FIRE’s latest video, “In Defense of Being Offensive.” Rauch presents a stirring and convincing defense of pluralism over what he calls “purism,” arguing that minorities benefit more under a society that values pluralism, including the right to offend others. Rauch concludes: “Is it a dangerous situation when someone can shut down the search for truth by saying ‘Oh, that offends me’? Absolutely.”
Recent Articles
Get the latest free speech news and analysis from FIRE.
If everything's a conspiracy, nothing's a conspiracy
From Klan prosecutions to Don Lemon and Ricky Vaughn, Section 241 shows how conspiracy law can stretch dangerously close to protected speech today.
The Jason Arday tragedy cannot justify a crackdown on the press
His death leads to hard questions. But it must not lead to censorship.
Professors are being squeezed on all sides. The GUARD Act can protect them.
Government pressure on professors is surging. FIRE’s GUARD Act gives states a blueprint to protect faculty speech and academic freedom.