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Celebration of free speech

John LeMasurier
Staff Reporter

As a basic and valuable characteristic of western society, the importance of free speech cannot be underestimated. As the single most important political right of citizens, it allows us to criticize our government as well as express ourselves creatively.
Last week, we were given the opportunity to learn more about freedom of speech through the Communication and Digital Media Department weeklong event “Right of Rhetoric.”
Monday in the Seibert Chapel was the Bridges to Peace talk titled, “Improvising for Christ: Hospitality and Trust for a New Age,” given by guest speaker and Associate Professor of Communications at Denison University in Granville, Ohio Dr. Jeffrey B. Kurtz. The talk examined ways in which we extend hospitality to one another as part of our efforts to build and sustain communities of peace.
Later at the Music Recital Hall, Kurtz spoke again in a talk titled, “Rhetorical Courage and Faithful Citizenship Reconsidered.” He encouraged rhetorical courage and helped us to understand the obligations, challenges, and opportunities of
faithful citizenship. 
On Tuesday students took part in a fundraiser to raise awareness about free speech. Students paid to have duct tape covering their mouths. It was $1.00 to take the duct tape off and $1.00 to put it back on. Funds went towards the Draft Graphic Design Group, Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Honors Society, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Helping to benefit wounded soldiers, this project is meant to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women.
Last Wednesday, five professors expressed themselves and their thoughts on freedom of speech. Held in the Niemann Theatre, we heard from Assistant Professor of Religion, Communication and Digital Media Ross Larson, History Department Chair Stephen Udry, Associate Professor of Education Karin Sconzert, Associate Professor of Religion Yamine Mermer, and Department Chair of Political Science Jerald Mast. Each spoke for ten minutes on a varying range of topics, for example Udry talked about freedom of speech in China while Sconzert talked about controversial shirts banned in schools.
Last Thursday was the day for the event “Freedom of Speech Poetic Expression.” However, due to the rain, the event has been pushed to this week. It will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. in the H.F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts, room 215. In this event, students of all majors will present written works as well as works of art to express what “Freedom of Speech” means to them. The completed compositions will be on display and may be auctioned on, with proceeds going to the two student communication groups and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to Wednesday’s event as the final celebration of Freedom of Speech week. Attendees are encouraged to learn all they can about the value of free speech because as Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A people which is able to say everything becomes able to do everything.”