Let's Talk

Home

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. ��ýapp�ٷ�’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.

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? ��ýapp�ٷ�’s Let’s Talk program provides you with tools to work toward a more intellectually open campus environment.

Get Started with Lets Talk

Illustration of a diverse group of people with speech bubbles above their heads

Let's Talk Toolkits

Speech bubbles and a sign with a chili pepper on it

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.

View Resource

Cognitive Behavioral Theory for Civil Discourse

Cognitive distortions, or bad mental habits which can be gently challenged and can be disproved factually, pose obstacles to intrapersonal and interpersonal communication alike.

View Resource

Three Steps to Civil Discourse

When emotional temperatures spike, the group could be heading into a “bad faith” argument situation that will only make the experience unpleasant for everyone.

View Resource

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. ��ýapp�ٷ�’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 ��ýapp�ٷ�’s partners on the ground and help FIREstand 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.

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. FIREdiscussed 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 FIREand 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. ��ýapp�ٷ�’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.

Dealing with Disruptors

What happens when someone attends one of your meetings, not to participate, but to shut it down? Check out these steps for dealing with disruptors.

View Resource

Heat Levels For Discussion

This brief handout outlines ��ýapp�ٷ�’s heat levels, which are designed to help leaders guide their discussion group towards constructive conversations.

Spread the word

Illustration of two human figures, one orange and one blue, with strings in their heads and coming out their mouths while looking at each other.

Think Clearly, Speak Clearly

When you get your student group together for a fair and free discussion, make sure the conversation focuses on content rather than conceit!

View Resource

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. FIREhas 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

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

FIRELegal 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