ݮƵAPP

Let's Talk

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, but the practice of free speech requires more than just the right to be free from censorship. To realize the First Amendment’s ideal of a robust culture of free speech, we must boldly engage with words and ideas we may find offensive, listen respectfully, and — if necessary — explain why we disagree. ݮƵAPP’s Let’s Talk program provides the right conditions for these big conversations — empowering students to talk to anyone and everyone on their campus about any and every idea.

Two women smiling and talking with the phrase "Let's Talk" between them.

Let’s Talk Start-Up Guide

It is essential to create spaces on our college and university campuses for healthy and productive conversations. If professors and students, who dedicate their intellectual efforts to the exploration of the world and its many complexities, cannot discuss or even disagree about difficult and uncomfortable topics, who can? ݮƵAPP’s Let’s Talk program provides you with tools to work toward a more intellectually open campus environment.

Get Started with Lets Talk

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Let's Talk Toolkits

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Civil Discourse Games

Interested in sparking conversations on campus? Check out these civil discourse games, which offer a great way to launch casual discussions about difficult topics. Learn more about how you can have fun while having tough conversations.

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Join the Dialogue Movement Today!

Let’s Talk is based on the premise that the skills involved in civil discourse are like muscles we’ve allowed to atrophy in an era of extreme partisanship and toxic polarization. ݮƵAPP’s civil discourse programming offers ways to practice those skills and build those muscles back up again so we can regain a pluralistic society that rewards viewpoint diversity. We’re proud to support independent Let’s Talk groups committed to dialogue across differences. These groups are ݮƵAPP’s partners on the ground and help ݮƵAPP stand up for free speech on campus. If you're interested in joining this growing movement or starting your own Let’s Talk group, contact William Harris at will.harris@thefire.org today.

The phrase "Let's Talk" on a blue background
Bobby Ramkissoon
We realized that there is a need on campus for a space outside the context of a classroom for ideas to be contested and for people to freely express those ideas without fear of social ostracization or outright censorship or repercussions from the administration.

Freely Express Yourself

Student Story

Bobby Ramkissoon is the co-founder of The John Stuart Mill Forum at The College of Wooster. His group’s first meeting focused on the central topic of whether or not there "should there be limits to free speech,” which launched participants into a thoughtful and nuanced conversation about some of the hottest topics on university campuses today. Students discussed whether there should be limits to free speech that protect the safety of students on campus and whether students should be allowed to debate gender pronouns and transgender identity. The conversation had such an impact that it was even featured in an article in The Atlantic, which explored the efforts of students across the country to promote civil dialogue on university campuses.

Resources for Your Group

Let’s Talk groups have no formal connection to ݮƵAPP and will vary in size and structure. But they are united in their mission to promote free, fruitful, and civil discussions. The art of civil conversation is an important tradition of a free people: the fulcrum on which a democracy can stand — or topple to the loudest and most illiberal extremes. ݮƵAPP’s Let’s Talk program gives students the resources they need to start, maintain, and grow the openhearted and open-minded culture our democracy needs now.

Leader Moderation Guide

Let’s Talk Leader Moderation Guide

A key part of being a Let’s Talk leader is recognizing when to intervene during a heated discussion. ݮƵAPP has created this Leader Moderation Guide to prepare leaders for their role as moderator and to give them the tools to diffuse tensions in conversation.

Learn to facilitate Lets Talk conversations

Materials for Hosting Let’s Talk Events

Students handing out Let's Talk flyers

Let's Talk Flyers

Tell your peers about your group! Add your organization's details to these flyers and use them to spread the word about Let’s Talk and upcoming events you’re hosting on campus.

Spread the Word
ݮƵAPP Legal Director Will Creeley speaking at the 2024 Free Speech Leadership Summit

Sample Speaker Letter

Thinking about inviting a speaker to campus for a public event? Use this sample speaker letter to draft your speaking request and bring the wider community into your Let’s Talk programming!

Get Started
Adult students listen to speaker

Bring Let’s Talk to Campus

We partner with students and faculty on campus who are committed to advancing open inquiry, civil dialogue, and pluralism. Whether it's a Let’s Talk civil discourse workshop and First Amendment training or a Pluralist Lab and facilitator training, there are many ways our team can help spark dialogue and civil exchange in your school’s community. Please contact our team to discuss ideas.

Get in Touch
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