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: Paperback / softback
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 over the relationship between universities and the cultivation or coddling of young American minds. Philosopher Sigal R. Ben-Porath takes on head-on 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 manifestations of broader democratic erosion in the United States. At the same time, she takes a nuanced approach to the legitimate claims of harm put forward by those who are targeted by hate speech.

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 proactively establish conversations across difference. Establishing these conversations has profound implications for political discourse beyond the boundaries of collegiate institutions. By drawing on the truth, expertise, and reliable sources of information within the work of academic institutions, we can harness the shared construction of knowledge that takes place at schools, colleges, and universities against truth decay.

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 the university in American society and how it can model free speech in ways that promote democratic ideals, educators can help students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to engage in meaningful conversations and address the challenges of our time.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226823805