On Wednesday, February 22nd, the DePaul University Library and the Center for Identity, Inclusion, and Social Change will sponsor a discussion of censorship, free speech, and recent challenges to information policies designed to promote open and equitable access to information by James LaRue, Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation.
“The Sound of Silence” will explore the boundaries of free speech in contemporary American society, when the boundaries of free speech, partisan rhetoric, and inflammatory statements are routinely tested both in face-to-face conversations and online. Drawing on examples of traditional censorship, silencing of unpopular opinions, and recent efforts to limit open access to information collected by the federal government, LaRue will challenge us to honor our fundamental commitment to the First Amendment while supporting an environment in which challenging ideas, and differing opinions, may be discussed.
Founded in 1967, the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom provides information to individuals and organizations facing intellectual freedom challenges; plans and promotes initiatives that promote intellectual freedom, privacy and free access to information (including Banned Books Week); and, works closely with others, including the ALA Washington Office, on core information policy issues. The DePaul University Library has collaborated with the OIF on Banned Books Week programming for several years, and received a grant from the Freedom to Read Foundation in 2014 to support a panel discussion of the banning of comic books and graphic novels, including the challenge to using Persepolis in Chicago Public Schools.
“The Sound of Silence” is presented as part of the President’s Series on Race and Free Speech, and is open to members of the DePaul University Community. RSVP is required. More information on library resources relevant to the study of race and free speech is available through a related research guide.