Today, we welcome Nadine Strossen as a new Praxis Circle Contributor! Formerly president of the ACLU and professor at New York Law School, Strossen is now a world-renowned legal scholar and activist with a special focus on free speech, civil liberties, and international human rights. Her interview shines much light on today’s cancel culture and polarized society from a constitutional point of view, and the importance of protecting speech in a free world. Watch the full interview above and explore some key highlights below.
From Holocaust Survival to Civil Liberties
In this interview, Strossen opens up about how her personal and family background shaped her passion for defending individual liberties. She recalls learning as a teenager that her father was a Holocaust survivor, a revelation that deeply influenced her worldview. Raised as a Lutheran in Germany, her father was later classified as Jewish under Nazi laws due to his mother’s heritage. He was imprisoned in the Buchenwald forced labor camp and narrowly escaped sterilization before being liberated by the American military. This experience, coupled with her mother’s struggles with gender discrimination, instilled in Strossen a profound commitment to ensuring freedom and equality for all, regardless of identity or ideology.
Strossen’s rich and diverse family history, including Italian and Croatian immigrant roots on her mother’s side, reflects her deep appreciation for America’s multiculturalism. Her father’s survival and her mother’s thwarted ambitions shaped her mission to fight for civil liberties, which she sees as fundamental to a democratic society. Through her work, she honors her parents’ sacrifices and strives to ensure that future generations enjoy the freedoms her family was denied.
Leading the ACLU and Defending Internet Freedom
In her interview, Strossen reflects on her tenure as president of the ACLU from 1991 to 2008, highlighting the organization’s contentious yet passionate internal debates. She shares her pride in the ACLU’s role in challenging the Communications Decency Act (CDA) of 1996, a law aimed at censoring online content deemed “indecent” or “patently offensive.” The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to strike down the CDA under the First Amendment was a landmark victory for internet freedom. Strossen emphasizes how different the digital landscape would be today had the law been upheld, with vast amounts of online speech potentially suppressed.
The Broad, Yet Limited Scope of “Speech” in the U.S. Constitution
Strossen breaks down the meaning of “speech” as protected by the First Amendment, highlighting its broad but not absolute nature. She explains that speech encompasses various forms of expression—whether words, images, symbols, or self-expression—even if no clear message is conveyed. However, not all speech is protected under the Constitution, as government restrictions can be justified depending on the circumstances. Strossen also elaborates on the flexible interpretation of terms like “Congress” and “speech,” reflecting the Founders’ intention for evolving interpretations. Despite its expansive scope, Strossen reminds us that free speech, though strongly protected, is never without limits.
As the interview continues, we discuss at length what these limits are and how they are not always black and white. We also discuss what speech is protected by the Constitution, what to do about “hate speech,” censorship, and more.
America’s Essential Role as a Beacon for Global Freedom
In this compelling discussion, Nadine Strossen highlights the essential role America plays as an idea and an inspiration for freedom worldwide. Founded on universal aspirations of liberty and justice, the U.S. Constitution stands as a blueprint that brings humanity closer to realizing these ideals. Strossen points out that people across the globe sacrifice everything to reach America, showing the powerful draw of its foundational principles. She warns that those who take these freedoms for granted, failing to recognize the oppression elsewhere, misunderstand the profound value of the liberties America upholds. Strossen also compares Israel to the U.S., noting both nations’ foundational ideals and the irreplaceable role they play in the world.
Conclusion
Throughout the interview, Strossen delves deeply into a range of pressing topics that define modern society. From her critiques of feminism movements that fail to account for global realities to discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), she offers a perspective that balances advocacy with critical reflection. Her views on free speech, constitutional interpretation, and the role of government underscore the importance of protecting foundational freedoms while navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving society. Ultimately, Strossen’s reflections remind us that America’s—and indeed the world’s—pursuit of liberty and justice is ongoing, requiring vigilance, debate, and a commitment to universal ideals. Thank you, Nadine, for having this worldview conversation with us. May all our conversations reflect the respect, dignity, and perceptiveness that you have displayed here.
