On Constitution Day, a professor tries to spread founding principles on campus

Washington Examiner ^ | September 16, 2018 12:00 AM | Salena Zito

[E. Pluribus Unum]

MEMPHIS — " We must not be afraid to be free," Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black famously said in a dissent defending free expression. That appeal is germane today, especially on college campuses, professor Daniel Cullen argues.

Cullen, a professor of political science at Rhodes College, is working to engage liberal arts college students on the critical importance of the First Amendment and free speech. It's part of a program at 30 colleges and universities across the country who will be marking Constitution Day on September 17, the 231st anniversary of its signing.

“It is a critical moment in American society and culture to deeply reflect First Amendment traditions as they relate to the Constitution,” said Cullen of the initiative sponsored by the Jack Miller Center.

Last year the program was on free speech specifically. This year is a little broader, with the Masterpiece Cakeshop case and others, the issue of freedom versus anti-discrimination measures is alive on campuses.

“Students are really interested in that stuff, and there is just a kind of appalling lack of study of constitutional principles and courses that deal with the argument,” he explained.

[lowbridge]

So, are they going to hang him or burn him at the stake?

[Robert DeLong]

This needs to happen 364 days a year until they realize just how important it is to hear ideas that perhaps someone may disagree with.

[bgill]

231 years. Well, it had a good run.