Monthly Luncheon - March

The First Amendment in the 21st Century:

Is it Still Relevant?

Terry Weiner

This talk will explore the complex issues regarding the expressions of the right to free speech and practice of religion in our society given the rise of new technologies, social media and new hate groups. For a long time conservatives like Justice Scalia and liberals like Justice Stevens united in an absolute view on free speech. But in the new century we are faced with an explosion of outlets for hate speech and attacks on religious beliefs. How should a tolerant and compassionate society apply the first amendment to these challenging new forums for expression? Can an "absolutist "view survive in the 21st century?  ( For example, Elon Musk used this argument to reinstate Donald Trump on Twitter.) 

This talk will review some of the legal doctrines on speech and religious expression and use a few case studies to draw the audience into a lively discussion. 

About the Presenter

Terry Weiner served for four years at Russell Sage College (Troy, NY) as Provost where he retired in 2015. Before coming to Russell Sage, Dr.
Weiner had a successful academic career for 35 years at Union College (Schenectady, NY) including serving as Associate Dean of the Faculty, Special
Assistant to the President, Chair of the Department of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. In 2003 he was awarded the Chauncy H. Winters Professorship of Comparative Social Analysis by Union College.

He received his B. A. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his Masters and Ph. D from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in political sociology. He has published in journals in political science, sociology and health care. His research has mainly been in the areas of health care policy.