I have a new essay running in the July 2nd, Weekend Edition, of CounterPunch. It compares the phony free speech panic (“Cancel culture!” “Wokeism!” The horror!) and the actual laws that suppress, penalize, and threaten the exercise of free speech from fascistic Republicans in multiple states. The right wing is now censoring and punishing educators and protestors who discuss topics and advocate for causes that they do not like.

It is a truly dangerous and frightening move that coalesces with the ongoing Republican effort to demolish voting rights, and limit access to the ballot for voters of color and college students.

American democracy is under assault, and my new essay describes a critical element of the problem.