Templeton Press' new book New Threats to Freedom hits bookstores on May 17, 2010. To mark the release of this volume, which features original essays from a wide variety of noted authors including playwright David Mamet (of Glenngarry Glen Ross fame), journalist Christopher Hitchens, author Christina Hoff Sommers, and many others, FIRE is releasing a brand new video featuring one of the main cases covered in FIRE President Greg Lukianoff's own chapter of the book, "Students Against Liberty."
At a forum sponsored by Students for Individual Liberty at the University of Virginia, Adam Kissel (director, Individual Rights Defense Program) of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE, see www.thefire.org) discusses a current controversy at American University in Washington, D.C., involving student journalist and political commentator Alex Knepper. Knepper wrote a provocative op-ed in the AU Eagle newspaper about sexual behavior and "date rape" that has resulted in a firestorm of criticism and national attention.Recorded on March 30, 2010, in Newcomb Hall on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
A short video reflecting on FIRE's ten years of defending individual rights on campus. This video premiered at FIRE's tenth anniversary celebration in New York City on October 22, 2009.
Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist and author of more than 30 books, is no stranger to critics trying to censor his writing. The nationally syndicated humorist has written some of our nations funniest columns—and with the First Amendment on his side, hes been winning the battle for free speech for over 25 years. This new video from FIRE features Barry discussing why freedom of expression is important to him and how todays politically correct college campuses are creating a culture of censorship that stifles humor writing and the opinions of millions of students across the country.
This short documentary covers FIRE's case at Missouri State University, where social work student Emily Brooker was threatened with expulsion after she refused (as a matter of personal belief) to send a signed letter to the Missouri state legislature in favor of homosexual foster parenting and adoption. This violation resulted not only in a federal lawsuit (which the school settled) but also in an official report that found that a culture of intimidation rife in the schools School of Social Work. For instance, many students and faculty stated a fear of voicing differing opinions from the instructor or colleague, and bullying was used by both students and faculty to characterize specific faculty. The 12-minute documentary features interviews with Brooker, faculty at MSU involved in the case, and Missouri state legislator Jane Cunningham.
