The Tar Heels were noisy today — reading from banned books, exploring bans on athlete’s social media, and discussing topics such as street art and graffiti were all part of UNC’s 4th celebration of First Amendment Day and the right not to remain silent.
First Amendment Day kicked off in front of Carroll Hall this morning at 9 a.m. when the dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Susan King spoke on the importance of the celebration.
“We have a history for being advocates for social justice here at Carolina,” student body president Will Leimenstoll said. “And that’s what the First Amendment is all about — standing for what you believe in.”
Will is right. If there is any place to express yourself, it is at UNC. Whether it is the Pit Preacher yelling about the sins of abortion and premarital sex or students reading from banned books in the Pit, UNC has a way with words. First Amendment Day allows students, family and friends of our school to celebrate what we are, why we do what we do, and what permits us to do so.
“I think the First Amendment is important everywhere in the United States,” said Cathy Packer, director for the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy. “But public universities are special places in that they are market places for ideas. People work here and they come to study here because they are interested in the free exchange of ideas.”
Activities took place all day, including a debate on street art by the Ethics Team, musical performances by the Loreleis, Cadence and the Pauper Players in the Pit, banned books readings, and multiple panel discussions on the aspects of the First Amendment.
“It’s a big factor of the journalism school,” junior Leslie Ann Blake, a journalism major, said.
“It’s so many students who are so passionate about being able to voice their opinions and the fact that they have such a diverse schedule for today — they have music, they have book readings and so many different forums. I think you’ll find something for everyone.”
First Amendment Day is truly celebrated every day at UNC, yet today we honored our right to speak out loud and showed appreciation to the amendment that makes our school and our country so unique.
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