Ayad Akhtar’s Remarks at the 2022 PEN America Literary Gala
"Yes, speaking is at the root of it all, but we cannot only be speakers. We must be those listening, as well." More
PEN America: Characterizing Jan. 6 as “Legitimate Political Discourse” Is Perverse and Invites More Violence
The characterization of the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol as "legitimate political discourse" is perverse, and constitutes an open invitation to an escalation of violence in… More
The PEN Pod: A Reflection on Free Speech in 2021 with Suzanne Nossel
“Perhaps never before in our public discourse. . . has there been a moment where issues of free expression. . . have been more salient to our politics.” More
The PEN Pod: On Disinformation Consumers, Trump Texts, and Free Speech Battles Ahead
“It’s really striking to see the degree to which writing is at the heart of what we are debating about. . . . we are seeing just… More
The PEN Pod: On Self-Censorship, Book Bans, and Biden’s Virtual Democracy Summit
“Students are really crucial allies. They have, I think, an instinctive sense of not wanting to be told what they can and can’t read.” More
The PEN Pod: On Authoritarianism, Abortion Restrictions, and Protecting the Freedom to Learn
“They are people who deserve our support, who’ve been working as human rights defenders inside their countries, who now are faced with the loss of their livelihood.” More
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""I appreciate passion. I do," board treasurer Deb Fridsma said at the meeting. "But it is a slippery slope. You cherish your freedom, but what you're doing now is taking other people's freedoms away." #FreeTheBooks @PENamerica https://twitter.com/CBSEveningNews/status/1577802703727722496
Tonight, Pen America's Prison and Justice Writing celebrates Prince Shakur on the publication of his debut memoir, WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD (@Tin_House)!
@prshakur will be in conversation with Jamal Joseph at @ptknitwear in NYC at 7pm. RSVP here: https://pen.org/event/when-they-tell-you-to-be-good-prince-shakur-in-conversation-with-jamal-joseph/
At @NYHistory's #PEN100 exhibit, visitors see literary greats and champions of free expression, such as "Toni Morrison, Susan Sontag, @MargaretAtwood, Arthur Miller in conversation with each other because they are part of our history," says @ClarisseRS.