Purdue Graduate Student Government hosts 'Freedom for the Thought that We Hate' lecture

Nadine Strossen, the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union, speaks at Purdue on Tuesday in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) Download Photo

Purdue Graduate Student Government hosted "Freedom for the Thought that We Hate," a lecture by Nadine Strossen, on Tuesday (Feb. 23) in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall.

Strossen is the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union, the first woman to hold that post. She has written, lectured and practiced in constitutional law, civil liberties and international human rights.

Her book, "Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights," was named a Notable Book of 1995 by the New York Times, and she has twice been named one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal.

Strossen's lecture, "Defending 'Freedom for the Thought that we Hate,' Including Hate Speech," was followed by time for audience questions about Strossen's expertise and experience in law and public policy.

"Nadine Strossen is an incredible speaker with keen insight into all the civil liberties issues of our day," said Andrew Zeller, president of PGSG. "We welcome her unique and powerful voice to campus in order to inform and enliven campus discussions on these critical topics."

This was the second installment of the PGSG Lectureship Series, which aims to bring diverse and noteworthy thinkers to Purdue several times a year for the benefit of both graduate students and the broader community. 

Writer: Abby Eddy, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, 765-494-9712, aeeddy@purdue.edu 

Source: Andrew Zeller, zellera@purdue.edu