Youth Forum: Youth Voices on Free Speech

It was the legendary civil rights leader and human rights advocate John Lewis who famously said in his autobiography Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement, "I believe in freedom of speech, but I also believe that we have an obligation to condemn speech that is racist, bigoted, anti-Semitic, or hateful."

This year, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and The City Club of Cleveland raised the question of how freedom of speech has not only amplified voices of change, but voices spreading misinformation, untruths and hate as well, in their respective annual essay contests.

In their 13th Annual Stop the Hate® Youth Speak Out & Youth Sing Out Contest, the Maltz Museum specifically raised the question of how students have chosen to be agents of positive change when experiencing acts of injustice, racism, bigotry, or discrimination.

In the 2021 Free Speech Essay Contest, the City Club asked students what they would do in order to ensure the misinformation, extremism, and violence often spread on social media doesn’t threaten the balance of free speech and democracy.

Join us as the contest winners share both their experiences with hate speech and their views on free speech in the 21st century.

The livestream will be available beginning at 12 p.m. Have questions? Tweet them at @cityclubyouth or send a text to 330.541.5794.