The Norm Brewer lecture series has become an annual event at the University of Memphis. This was the fourth year the event was held and the turn out was fabulous!
Leonard Pitts, columnist for the Miami Herald, was the featured speaker this year. Being a First Amendment lecture, naturally it was relevant for Pitts to discuss some of today’s current events that test First Amendment protections such as the Ferguson trials.
Pitts started out the lecture by defining the First Amendment through an example. He said, “You may say nasty things about the three women who matter most to me in my life, you may make rude comments about my Jesus, you may call me out by name to your hearts content, and I will still say that you are within your First Amendment rights in doing so.”
While most people know that the First Amendment contains the freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition, it is often hard for them to understand the fine line between free speech and hate speech.
Pitts mentioned how much freedom and courage coincide. “Freedom of speech makes us vulnerable” he said. In fact, in one of his columns, Pitts describes the First Amendment as “perhaps the most dangerous words ever written”. He went on to say, “They guarantee a freedom which in the wrong hands or even in the right hands can cause upset, outrage and even topple regimes.” He furthers this thought by pointing out how frightening it is for the government to have to explain the First Amendment to those in high power, such as George Bush and Pope Francis. If America’s leaders do not know the constitutional rights, how are we, the people, supposed to know them? “It is tragic that we have to keep telling people that there is no ‘calling me out by name’ exemption in the First Amendment,” said Pitts.
I have never been one to be interested in government and history. I am much more interested in Taylor Swift’s newest boyfriend and home décor, but, I am not alone. Pitts mentions a study done in 2010 of the nation’s 12th grade students and their competency in government or civics. 97% of students took a course on the subject, however only 4% were deemed advanced, 20% were deemed to be proficient and 40% were left with only basic knowledge of the subject. That leaves a whopping 36% of 12th graders lacking even a basic understanding of civics and government. Honestly, before taking the law class I am enrolled in this semester, I would probably have categorized myself as lacking even basic knowledge in government. Pitts’ lecture really got me thinking how important it is that the First Amendment be understood. If more American’s had a greater understanding of all that the First Amendment protects, how would that change our society?
Pitts ended the lecture inspiring us to use our first amendment protections. As Americans, we are lucky enough to be able to share are views and thoughts, even though they may be offensive. As long as one is not directly inciting harm upon another, their speech is protected. So got out there and speak your mind, people!
Leonard Pitts, columnist for the Miami Herald, was the featured speaker this year. Being a First Amendment lecture, naturally it was relevant for Pitts to discuss some of today’s current events that test First Amendment protections such as the Ferguson trials.
Pitts started out the lecture by defining the First Amendment through an example. He said, “You may say nasty things about the three women who matter most to me in my life, you may make rude comments about my Jesus, you may call me out by name to your hearts content, and I will still say that you are within your First Amendment rights in doing so.”
While most people know that the First Amendment contains the freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition, it is often hard for them to understand the fine line between free speech and hate speech.
Pitts mentioned how much freedom and courage coincide. “Freedom of speech makes us vulnerable” he said. In fact, in one of his columns, Pitts describes the First Amendment as “perhaps the most dangerous words ever written”. He went on to say, “They guarantee a freedom which in the wrong hands or even in the right hands can cause upset, outrage and even topple regimes.” He furthers this thought by pointing out how frightening it is for the government to have to explain the First Amendment to those in high power, such as George Bush and Pope Francis. If America’s leaders do not know the constitutional rights, how are we, the people, supposed to know them? “It is tragic that we have to keep telling people that there is no ‘calling me out by name’ exemption in the First Amendment,” said Pitts.
I have never been one to be interested in government and history. I am much more interested in Taylor Swift’s newest boyfriend and home décor, but, I am not alone. Pitts mentions a study done in 2010 of the nation’s 12th grade students and their competency in government or civics. 97% of students took a course on the subject, however only 4% were deemed advanced, 20% were deemed to be proficient and 40% were left with only basic knowledge of the subject. That leaves a whopping 36% of 12th graders lacking even a basic understanding of civics and government. Honestly, before taking the law class I am enrolled in this semester, I would probably have categorized myself as lacking even basic knowledge in government. Pitts’ lecture really got me thinking how important it is that the First Amendment be understood. If more American’s had a greater understanding of all that the First Amendment protects, how would that change our society?
Pitts ended the lecture inspiring us to use our first amendment protections. As Americans, we are lucky enough to be able to share are views and thoughts, even though they may be offensive. As long as one is not directly inciting harm upon another, their speech is protected. So got out there and speak your mind, people!