Greg Lukianoff's passion for free speech is fueled by his family's experience. He comes from a long line of Russian serfs who bought their way to freedom and prospered, only to have to flee the country when the Soviets and Bolsheviks took power. His grandfather fought in the Bolshevik Revolution, and millions who shared his grandfather's views were massacred during that time. "We didn't fit in with their theories very well," Lukianoff said.
That family history sparked a compelling Lunch and Learn session among Vanderbilt students at the Jean and Alexander Heard Central Library. Hosted by Dialogue Vanderbilt on Jan. 14, the event offered an engaging platform for discussing the vital role of free expression in fostering intellectual growth. Lukianoff, an attorney and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, is a leading advocate for free speech. He has authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller The Coddling of the American Mind.
THE PARADOX OF CENSORSHIP
One of the themes Lukianoff explored was the counterintuitive nature of censorship. He warned, "The more you clamp down on speech on particular issues, the less you're able to deal with those issues, period."
Lukianoff argued that by limiting discourse, people inadvertently create echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs and prevent the challenging of ideas. This can lead to a society that's ill-equipped to handle disagreements or solve pressing problems. He emphasized that free and open dialogue, even when it's uncomfortable, is essential for social progress and the development of critical thinking skills.
CAMPUS FREE SPEECH RANKINGS
One of FIRE's most noted publications is the College Free Speech Rankings, a yearly assessment of college campuses based on their support for student free speech and open inquiry. The report draws from more than 58,000 student responses representing more than 250 colleges and universities nationwide and is the "largest poll of student opinion on freedom of speech," Lukianoff said.
The rankings look at several factors, including whether students think the administration would support them if they got in trouble for free speech, and if they believe violence against speech is acceptable. Top-ranked schools tend to be large public universities, while private and Ivy League schools often score poorly, Lukianoff added.
Vanderbilt has a Green Speech Code Rating with FIRE for 2025.
CULTIVATING PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY
A significant portion of Lukianoff's talk focused on the concept of psychological safety in discourse. He contended that organizations and institutions that create environments where dissent is not only tolerated but welcomed will have a significant advantage. "Any organization … that can actually have a well-functioning environment … will have huge advantages," Lukianoff said.
This extends beyond just allowing free speech, he said. It includes creating a culture where individuals feel secure in expressing divergent opinions without fear of retaliation or ostracism. Lukianoff explained that such environments are crucial for fostering innovation, problem-solving and personal growth, and he challenged universities to lead by example and create spaces where students and faculty can engage in robust debates and challenge prevailing ideas.
THE CULTURAL CONTEXT OF FREE SPEECH
Lukianoff's family history provided a powerful backdrop to his arguments. "I kind of grew up in an atmosphere that had great appreciation for freedom of speech," he said. His appreciation, born from his family's experiences with oppression, underscored the idea that free speech is not just a legal right, but a cultural value that must be actively nurtured and defended.
He emphasized that understanding the historical and cultural context of free speech is vital for appreciating its importance. By drawing parallels between his family's past and the current debates on campus, Lukianoff illustrated how easily hard-won freedoms can be eroded if they aren't vigilantly protected.
CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD
As the session concluded, Lukianoff urged students, faculty and administrators to consider the long-term implications of restricting speech and to work toward creating environments where varying opinions can be expressed and debated openly. He suggested that universities should strive to be models of free expression to prepare students for a world where the ability to engage with diverse viewpoints is increasingly crucial.
