Renowned Journalist Lectures on Constitutional Rights

 

Photo by Stacey Axler

By Stacey Axler

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David K. Shipler came to Hood on Sept. 20 to give a lecture in honor of Constitution Day.

Established in 2004, Constituion day recognizes the date of the ratification of the Constitution in 1787.

The event, sponsored by the departments of political science and law and society, focused on how the rights of American citizens have been considered breached after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

“David Shipler is extremely knowledgeable in his field and [the political science department] was pleased to invite him to campus,” said Dr. Hoda Zaki, political science professor.

Shipler presented his lecture based on his new book, “The Rights of the People: How Our Search for Safety Invades our Liberties.”

The lecture examined the historical basis of constitutional rights, the expansion of human liberties and the violation of Americans’ fundamental rights. Shipler discussed topics such as the formation of Miranda rights, “sneak and peak” FBI searches, and the challenged fourth amendment.

“We have rights, and we give them up to the government.  Our liberties are rooted in their nuances,” Shipler said during his lecture.

Over 40 students and faculty members came to the Whitaker Commons to attend the lecture.  Many were interested in the subject of constitutional rights presented during the event.

“I attended the lecture because it would help for my law and society class, and I was also genuinely interested in the topic of the con stitution,” said junior William Lewis.

Shipler is the author of four other books, including “The Working Poor,” “Russia: Broken Idols, Solemn Dreams” and “Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land,” which won a Pulitzer Prize.   He also has won numerous awards working at The New York Times.

Those who attended the lecture wanted to learn from Shipler’s expertise in the field of political science and law and society.

“Since I am majoring in history, I thought it would be beneficial for me to attend [the lecture],” said sophomore Megan Gregory. “I want to expand my knowledge for all types of history, so this opportunity was too good to pass up.  I thought that the speaker was very knowledgeable.”

Overall, the lecture presented a different perspective to the concept of constitutional rights and privileges from an experienced source.

“The lecture went over well with the students who attended and provided insight into constitutional rights and liberties,” said Zaki.