Book reviews: Lauren Bialystok and Lisa M. F. Andersen, Touchy Subject: The History and Philosophy of Sex Education

Abstract

curtailed by court cases in the name of preventing a disruptive learning environment (pp. 92–95). This is clearly part of the problem. The concrete recommendations in the final chapter are perhaps the most illuminating and practically useful part of the book. Here, Ben-Porath offers detailed guidance for students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Students need to be willing to collaborate across identity groups, and administrators can incentivize this collaboration by sponsoring social events between groups typically at odds (p. 151). Campus events can employ ‘free speech observers’, individuals trained in university speech policies who can intervene when necessary to ensure the speech rights of all relevant parties are honored, protestors and speakers alike (pp. 145–146). Faculty can be more deliberate about courting controversy in the classroom, constructing lesson plans with more care and attention to the issues (pp. 147–151). Her tips are applicable, actionable, and ethically wise. The bottom line is that we find ourselves in a world historic crisis of distrust, disinformation, and polarization. Cancel Wars is the kind of book we need to help manage that crisis. Ben-Porath makes a strong case that the university should serve as a beacon in these troubling times – a facilitator of knowledge, speech, inclusion, and trust.