The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, but the practice of free speech requires more than just the right to be free from censorship. To realize the First Amendment’s ideal of a robust culture of free speech, we must boldly engage even with words and ideas we find offensive, listen respectfully, and — if necessary — explain why we disagree. FIRE’s Let’s Talk groups provide the right conditions for these big conversations — empowering students to talk to anyone and everyone on their campus about any and every idea.
The ultimate guide to big conversations on campus
Discussing difficult topics can be tough, but in a country that is increasingly polarized, relationships between people who hold different views is a superpower. And there's no better place to do this than on your own college campus.
We realized that there is a need on campus for a space outside the context of a classroom for ideas to be contested and for people to freely express those ideas without fear of social ostracization or outright censorship or repercussions from the administration.
Bobby Ramkissoon is a Let’s Talk leader and co-founder of The John Stuart Mill Forum at The College of Wooster.
It is essential to create spaces on our college and university campuses for healthy and productive conversations. FIRE’s Let’s Talk program provides you with tools to work toward a more intellectually open campus environment.
Higher education — and your campus — needs healthy, rigorous, and productive conversations. Check out our resources below to learn about how to measure emotional temperature, how to intervene during a heated discussion, and how to keep your group’s conversations constructive.
As a Let’s Talk leader, you are in charge of protecting and preserving the group’s mission. To do that successfully, it’s important to think about what you hope to achieve and how you want to impact your campus community.
What happens when someone attends one of your meetings, not to participate, but to shut it down? Check out these steps for dealing with disruptors.
Civil discourse games are a great way to launch casual discussions about difficult topics. Learn more about how you can have fun while having tough conversations.
When emotional temperatures spike, the group could be heading into a “bad faith” argument situation that will only make the experience unpleasant for everyone.
Campus Let’s Talk groups have no formal connection to FIRE and will vary in size and structure. But they are united in their mission to promote free, fruitful, and civil discussions. The art of civil conversation is an important tradition and resource of a free people: the fulcrum on which a democracy can stand — or topple to the loudest and most illiberal extremes. FIRE’s Let’s Talk: Civil Discourse Societies give students the resources they need to start, maintain, and grow the openhearted and open-minded culture our democracy needs now.
Tell your peers about your group! Add your organization's details to these flyers and use them to spread the word at your school.
Need funds to promote civil discourse on your campus? Apply for financial assistance today!
Thinking about inviting a speaker to campus? Use this sample speaker letter to draft your speaking request!
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