In the U.S. we protect freedom of speech and expression. This means an individual or a community may articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. But what happens when the speech reflects hatred or promotes violence? What is an “extremist” belief? Who ascribes to extremist views? Public opinions have always differed, but in recent years we have seen an increase in extreme views expressed in person and through social media. How do we respond, connect, and relate to people who espouse extreme beliefs? We may avoid people who think and believe differently from us — especially when what we hear is loud, passionate, or threatening. But rather than just avoid, how can we safely and productively respond? Join us for an exploration of the impact of and responses to extremism now.

This program is made possible by Arizona Humanities (AH) and the Arizona State Library, Records & Archives.