New Haven Debate Will Focus on Whether Free Speech Is Threatened on Campuses

The atmosphere on campuses nationwide has become charged with accusations, on one side, that micro-aggressions are hurtful to women and people of color and countercharges that universities are censoring speakers.

On Tuesday, the issue will land in the spotlight at the Yale Repertory Theatre as four debaters argue for or against the statement, Free speech is threatened on campus.

I don’t think there’s any question that free speech is threatened on campus. I think the question is whether free speech should be threatened on campus, said Wendy Kaminer, who is one of the debaters in the Open to Debate formerly known as Intelligence Squared U.S. debate, sponsored by the Adam Smith Society, an organization composed of business school students and alumni.