In our highly politically polarized environment, free speech and DEI are often discussed as two separate and even opposed concepts, with DEI initiatives coming at the cost of free speech. However, a deeper and better informed understanding of the concepts of free speech and DEI reveals how these principles are deeply interdependent. In this conversation, panelists will explore the misconception that DEI infringes upon free speech or enforces conformity. Further, panelists will discuss how DEI enhances the ideals of free speech by fostering inclusion and bringing more diverse perspectives to the forefront.

Speakers:
-Jack Bernard, Associate General Counsel at the University of Michigan
-Kaleb Briscoe, Assistant Professor of Adult and Higher Education at the University of Oklahoma
-Elizabeth R. Cole, Professor of Psychology, Women's and Gender Studies, and Afroamerican and African Studies, and Director of the National Center for Institutional Diversity at the University of Michigan
-Nina M. Flores, Associate Professor of Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling at California State University, Long Beach