Mo News Mo News Premium Workshop: Free Speech and Hate Speech
Oct 16, 2025
Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor of History of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, joins Mosheh to delve into the nuanced debates surrounding free speech and hate speech in America. They explore the historical context of the First Amendment, tracing its evolution from early Free Speech Movements to contemporary issues like cancel culture and campus speech codes. Zimmerman discusses key Supreme Court cases, the impact of social justice movements, and the implications of speech on today's society, making for a riveting discussion on the delicate balance between expression and responsibility.
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Peace Corps Roots And Global Perspective
- Jonathan Zimmerman served in the Peace Corps in Nepal and grew up as a Peace Corps child in India and Iran.
- That background shaped his global perspective and interest in education history.
First Amendment Is A Moving Target
- The First Amendment’s meaning evolved over time through Supreme Court interpretations rather than fixed wording.
- Jonathan Zimmerman stresses that modern free speech protections are recent and historically tenuous.
Wartime Speech Was Usually Suppressed
- Free speech protections during wartime were often restricted until the Vietnam era.
- Zimmerman notes Vietnam marked the first time courts protected dissent in wartime.
