In her conversation with Professor Peter Beinart, Professor Sahar Aziz provided a primer on the First Amendment, Title VI, Title IX, and other free speech protections available in the United States in both public and private universities, and grappled with the question of how to engender an environment of tolerance and mutual respect while maintaining the rights of those engaged in speech that other groups could find offensive.
Professor Aziz made particular reference to the idea of the ‘Palestine exception,’ in which speech, education, and activism in support of Palestinian human rights is subjected to special scrutiny and censorship by actors across the political spectrum. Aziz issued a challenge to university administrators, asking that they serve the interests of their students, rather than those of their donors, Board of Directors, or even members of the US Congress.
To listen to the conversation, click here.
