Speak No Evil: The Triumph of Hate Speech Regulation

In Speak No Evil, legal scholar Jon B. Gould examines the rise of hate speech regulation on American college campuses during the 1980s and 1990s. He analyzes key court cases, policy documents, and interviews with university administrators to trace how these controversial speech codes emerged and evolved. Through detailed research of six universities, Gould explores the social and political forces that drove the creation of hate speech policies, as well as the legal challenges they faced. The book examines administrative decision-making, student activism, and the competing constitutional principles at play. Gould documents the implementation and enforcement of speech codes through extensive archival materials and firsthand accounts from those involved in crafting and defending these regulations. His investigation covers both public and private institutions across different regions of the United States. The work raises fundamental questions about free speech, academic freedom, and the balance between protecting individual rights and fostering inclusive campus environments. Through this case study of hate speech regulation, Gould illuminates broader tensions in American democracy and constitutional law.

Readers appreciate the book's comprehensive examination of hate speech cases and thorough analysis of First Amendment legal precedents. Multiple reviewers note Gould's balanced presentation of arguments both for and against hate speech regulations on college campuses. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of complex legal concepts - Inclusion of real campus case studies - Data-driven research approach - Detailed historical context What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Some sections repeat information - Limited discussion of recent cases post-2005 - Focus mainly on campus policies rather than broader societal implications Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (11 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) JSTOR: Cited in 127 academic works One law professor reviewer wrote: "Gould provides valuable empirical evidence about how hate speech codes actually work in practice." A student reviewer noted: "The legal analysis is solid but the writing can be dry and repetitive at times."

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🔷 Despite ruling that hate speech is protected under the First Amendment, the Supreme Court has never precisely defined what constitutes "hate speech" in American law 🔷 Author Jon B. Gould served as Principal Investigator for the Preventing Hate Study, funded by the National Institute of Justice, which examined why some hate crimes escalate to violent acts while others do not 🔷 The book reveals that many universities' hate speech codes from the 1980s and 1990s remain quietly on the books, despite being legally unenforceable after court decisions struck down similar policies 🔷 While 95% of democracies worldwide have some form of hate speech regulation, the United States stands nearly alone among developed nations in offering broad constitutional protection for hate speech 🔷 During his research for the book, Gould discovered that campus administrators often informally enforce speech restrictions through student conduct meetings and mediation, rather than through formal disciplinary procedures