Bright and bold, the image above is the social media banner that announces the significance of October 18-24, 2021. This is Free Speech Week!
I had never heard of Free Speech Week before I came to college. However, as we have seen through the course material for Intro to Media, freedom of speech is very important to the journalism and mass communication profession. From radio to television to newspaper, every topic we have covered in Intro to Media is tied to freedom of expression. Being in Gaylord College, it would be hard not to be aware of the celebratory week.
Additionally, the University of Oklahoma is working to promote the week of recognition. College is a time to develop the skills to think critically and constantly learn from the world around you. Free speech is a vital part of this process. If we are not discussing our own beliefs and comparing them to the beliefs others hold, there is no way for us to learn and grow as a community. Communication is key. The ability to communicate our views without fear of endangering ourselves is the only way to truly foster this learning environment. The university is holding several events throughout the week to promote a deeper appreciation for how valuable our freedom of speech is.
This blog will be honoring Free Speech Week with posts and interviews over the next few days. We need to be able to appreciate our right to free speech so we can utilize it, grow from it, and defend it.
If you want to know more about Free Speech Week, check out the official website, the University of Oklahoma events that will be held, and this blog!
https://ou.edu/freespeechweek?utm_source=email&utm_id=IOU-Oct06