Dare to Speak by Suzanne Nossel

DARE TO SPEAK is written by Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America which is a writers’ human rights organization devoted to the celebration and defense of free expression worldwide. Subtitled “Defending Free Speech for All,” this text is divided into several parts which deal with key principles for speaking, listening, debating, and setting policy related to speech. There is, for example, a chapter titled “Apologize when you’ve said something wrong” which itself has boxed sections with text for good apologies, pseudo apologies, and even steps on how to apologize. We have certainly become a less civil society when we need this detailed direction. The section dealing with listening encourages readers to consider context and “call out with caution” as well as fighting hateful speech and hate crimes. I know our students are quite interested in this topic overall and I was surprised by reference to a Smith College study (154-55) which found a shift amongst students in the last 20 years towards “wider support for censorship.” Nossel notes that PEW has documented similar findings amongst millennials versus older generations.  Today, The New York Times published “Groupthink has Left the Left Blind,” an opinion piece on the danger of exiling dissent voices. Nossel, too, says “Progressives in positions of influence bear a special responsibility to defend the neutral principle of open expression.” DARE TO SPEAK seems a timely text for many reasons, including the hearing Congress has been holding with the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter about their companies’ policies and actions. Perhaps we all need to reflect on President Obama’s advice: “If you disagree with somebody, bring them in and ask them tough questions. … Engage it. Debate it. Stand up for what you believe in.”  So proud of our students who practiced this by speaking at the Board of Education meeting as our community debates the pros and cons of remote vs. hybrid learning.  DARE TO SPEAK is definitely thought-provoking, has a helpful index and close to 30 pages of notes and references. Library Journal describes it as “An informative work for readers interested in human rights, free speech, censorship, and how they interact;” we will have a copy on our shelves soon.