Speech and Silence in American Law – Tuscaloosa, AL
| February 27, 2009 |
As part of a series on Law, Knowledge & Imagination, the University of Alabama School of Law presents Speech and Silence in American Law, Feb. 27, 2009.
This symposium will study the relationship between speech and silence in American law. We will examine how the law values silence, focusing on the right not to speak, as well as the decision not to select a speaker, in both private and government discourse.
We will analyze compelled speech, in contexts ranging from the flag salute to the Solomon Amendment cases, as well as instances where individuals are forced to be identified with a particular message.
In the aftermath of 9/11, we were reminded that speech alone may be troubling or dangerous. For some, the continuing threat of terrorism requires new attitudes toward speech. Others believe we can strike a better balance between freedom and security.
