Cancel Wars: How Universities Can Foster Free Speech, Promote Inclusion, and Renew Democracy

Philosopher Sigal R. Ben-Porath's book "Cancel Wars" explores the polarized state of campus politics and suggests ways for schools and universities to encourage discourse across difference. She argues that the escalating struggles over "cancel culture," "safe spaces," and free speech on campus are a manifestation of broader democratic erosion in the United States. Ben-Porath takes a nuanced approach to the legitimate claims of harm put forward by those who are targeted by hate speech, shedding light on the responsibility of institutions to respond to extreme speech in ways that proactively establish conversations across difference. By expanding and disseminating knowledge, universities can help rekindle the civic trust necessary for revitalizing democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

College campuses have become hotbeds of the current culture war, leading to intense debates about the relationship between universities and the cultivation or coddling of young American minds. Philosopher Sigal R. Ben-Porath takes a bold stance against arguments that infantilize students who speak out against violent and racist discourse on campus or rehash interpretations of the First Amendment. In her book, Cancel Wars, she argues that the escalating struggles over "cancel culture," "safe spaces," and free speech on campus are symptoms of broader democratic erosion in the United States. At the same time, she approaches the legitimate claims of harm put forward by those targeted by hate speech with nuance.

Ben-Porath's focus on the boundaries of acceptable speech and the disproportionate impact that hate speech has on marginalized groups sheds light on the responsibility of institutions to respond to extreme speech in ways that promote conversations across difference. Establishing these conversations has far-reaching implications for political discourse beyond the boundaries of collegiate institutions. By drawing on the truth, expertise, and reliable sources of information within academic institutions, we can harness the shared construction of knowledge that takes place at schools, colleges, and universities to combat the decline of truth.

This book is of interest to teachers and school leaders who are seeking to navigate the complex terrain of campus politics and promote dialogue across differences. By understanding the role of universities in American society and the potential for them to model free speech in ways that promote democratic ideals, educators can play a crucial role in shaping the future of political discourse.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226823782