Civil Rights Speeches

From the beginning of American history, free speech has been crucial for the pursuit of justice and expansion of democracy. Yet today, we are seeing growing attempts to roll back free speech protections in America: cultural warriors are banning books from library shelves at a level not seen in decades, and elected officials are attacking free speech principles to undermine other rights and consolidate their own power.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLISHERS PROSE AWARD FINALIST | “Essential and fresh and vital . . . It is the argument of this important book that until Americans can reimagine rights, there is no path forward, and there is, especially, no way to get race right. No peace, no justice.”—from the...

Brought to you by Penguin. A fresh and exciting approach to one of the most controversial subjects of our time ‘Free Speech!’ is a clarion call all over the world, yet what it means today is more contested than ever. Many cultures regard it as dangerous: in China, India, and across the...

Uncover how profound historical speeches and revolutionary rhetoric ignited social movements and shattered empires. Perfect for your morning commute, this thought-provoking deep dive explores the raw power of language as the ultimate weapon for change. From ancient assemblies to the modern...

Since its launch in 2006, WikiLeaks has rapidly grown into the most powerful and influential whistleblowing organisation ever. Its status as a repository and publisher of leaked sensitive and confidential governmental, corporate, organisational or religious documents while preserving the...

In this provocative book, Thomas Chatterton Williams, one of the most revered and reviled social commentators of our time, paints a clear and detailed picture of the ideas and events that have paved the way for the dramatic paradigm shift in social justice that has taken place over the past few...

Brought to you by Penguin. A GUARDIAN 'BOOKS OF 2021' PICK So often deployed as a jingoistic, even menacing rallying cry, or limited by a focus on passing moments of liberation, the rhetoric of freedom both rouses and repels. Does it remain key to our autonomy, justice, and well-being, or is...

Protect democratic equality and master the history of censorship with this thought-provoking political deep dive. Whether you need an engaging educational commute or a framework to understand today's urgent civic battles, this global exploration of human rights immerses you in the fierce...

From Robert Spencer, the New York Times best-selling author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and The Complete Infidel's Guide to ISIS, comes a bold defense of freedom of speech - the single most valuable freedom humanity has, a freedom now endangered worldwide.

A new edition of the most important free speech book of the past half-century, with a new chapter by the author on some of the top First Amendment controversies of today When Nazis wanted to express their right to free speech in 1977 by marching through Skokie, Illinois—a town with a large...

Exposes how companies like Visa, Chase, PayPal, Bank of America, and Mastercard use their power to silence dissenting voices and hurt democracy through the practice of financial censorship Civil liberties activist Rainey Reitman introduces readers to the concept of “financial censorship”—a...

This concise but comprehensive book lays out specific answers to myriad topical questions about free speech law, and also general explanations of how and why the law distinguishes between protected and punishable speech. The book focuses on modern First Amendment law, explaining the historic factors that propelled its evolution in a more speech-protective direction—in particular, the Civil Rights Movement. It highlights the many cases, involving multiple issues, in which robust speech-protective principles aided advocates of racial justice and other human rights causes. 

Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most inspirational figures in American history. From his march on Washington to his time in a Birmingham jail, King’s life and work continue to have a profound effect on our nation. The Everything Martin Luther King Jr. Book explores King’s life, times...

Named one of Newsweek’s ""25 Must-Read Fall Fiction and Nonfiction Books to Escape the Chaos of 2020"" The critically acclaimed journalist and bestselling author of The Rage of a Privileged Class explores one of the most essential rights in America—free speech—and reveals how it is...

Can free speech coexist with an inclusive campus environment? Hardly a week goes by without another controversy over free speech on college campuses. On one side, there are increased demands to censor hateful, disrespectful, and bullying expression and to ensure an inclusive and nondiscriminatory learning environment. On the other side are traditional free speech advocates who charge that recent demands for censorship coddle students and threaten free inquiry.

“A historical demonstration of the indispensability of the First Amendment [and] … an earnest and timely argument for [its] enduring value.” —Kirkus Reviews "Great storytelling about the history and importance of the First Amendment, from someone who has spent his life defending — and...

Speech is the life blood of democracy, but only if we understand its true meaning, and its role in sustaining our government. Key texts from the U.S. Supreme Court, John Stuart Mill, Alexander Meiklejohn, Ida B. Wells and Charles Lawrence illuminate the immediate questions and pressing issues of...

When Freedom Speaks chronicles the stories behind our First Amendment right to speak our minds. Lynn Levine Greenky's background as a lawyer, rhetorician, and teacher gives her a unique perspective on the protection we have from laws that abridge our right to the freedom of speech. Powerfully employing that rhetorical approach, this book explores concepts related to free speech as moral narratives that proscribe the boundaries of our constitutionally protected right. 

Navigate the modern clash of censorship and civil liberties with an empowering, objective guide to your legal rights. Perfect for your daily commute or study sessions, this thought-provoking listen demystifies the rules governing protests, online debates, and workplace expression. Transform your...

Track the urgent history of censorship and human rights as everyday rebels fight powerful empires to speak freely. Perfect for an educational morning commute, this thought-provoking political science narrative reveals that open expression was never simply granted. It was violently contested...