Welcome to Litsy!

Uncanny that I checked this out last month and got around to reading it at the exact time the nail has been driven into the coffin…

Cose provides plenty of examples of speech repression in America. Beginning with the first instance in 1798, only 7 years after the Bill of Rights was ratified, with—guess what?—the Alien and Sedition Acts.

His main goal, though, is to get us thinking about the definition of free speech. It really isn‘t so simple.

Quote: From 2017 in reference to Milo Yiannopoulos being protested against at U.C. Berkeley

Pic: Mahmoud Khalil. Arrested. Green card revoked. Facing deportation. For using his right to free expression.

So, no funds for colleges that repress free speech. But also, no funds for colleges that allow free speech.

Hypocritical much?

One of many books capitalizing on the culture. I didn‘t know she was a comedian. A decent book. Nothing too new as far as ideas. But she does well supporting the notion that cancel culture and wokeness is curtailing speech, especially humor. We live on eggshells trying not to hurt feelings. Ultimately like many, I‘m exhausted.

64/150 In the cancel culture age we live in now, this book is very relevant. Humor is such a subjective thing, what makes some people laugh, offends other people. Who gets to decide what's funny and what's not? There are several popular comedians who I don't find funny at all, even a little offensive, but I'd fight for their right to speak. If humor isn't pushing boundaries, maybe sometimes in bad taste, maybe sometimes ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Readers who enjoyed this book might also enjoy "Woke Racism" by John McWhorter.

Timely and much needed!