Arguments on the Left: Free Speech

Arguments on the Left: Free Speech

Five short essays by Brian Morton, K-Sue Park, Katha Pollitt, Natasha Lennard, and Asad Haider.

Illustration by Molly Crabapple

A Modest Exercise in Freedom by Brian Morton

“The left is at its most intelligent and most ethical when it believes—and vigorously promotes the belief—that everyone has the right to be heard.”
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Whose Free Speech? by K-Sue Park

Free speech, like any freedom struggle, is about power.”
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The Left Needs Free Speech by Katha Pollitt

It’s in everyone’s interest, but especially the left’s, to have as broad a discourse as possible.”
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A Struggle, Not a Debate by Natasha Lennard

Liberal appeals to truth will not stop fascists.”
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Social Media’s Sad Passions by Asad Haider

“The more acceptable it is to denounce people because of their speech, the more likely it is that it will eventually happen to you.”
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Read more arguments in our summer issue.


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