In the past year, progressives in the United States have decried a spate of white nationalist demonstrations, rising crime against transgendered people and the marginalization of immigrants, while conservatives have called for new laws protecting religious freedom, which they maintain is threatened by expanding civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.

In this polarized environment, the meaning of hate and its place in the law is a subject of contentious debate. This semester's Honors College Pulse Series will open the floor to a conversation about hate crimes, hate speech and the legal underpinnings of targeted violence. Join law professor Jordan Woods from 6-8 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 29, in Gearhart Hall Room 130 for a night of elucidation on this sobering subject. This will be an opportunity to hear an expert speak on the treatment of hate crimes within the law and to participate in an open forum on one of the most divisive issues in the public debate. The formal presentation and discussion will last for approximately one hour followed by pizza to allow the conversation to continue informally.

Woods is a scholar in the areas of criminal law, family law, law and sexuality, constitutional law and legal ethics. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of California, Los Angeles, and his current research focuses on the treatment of LGBTQ, racial and ethnic minorities within the American legal system.

The Honors College Pulse Series encourages all U of A students to come together and discuss contemporary controversies from a variety of viewpoints. Previous panels have focused on student reactions to the presidential election and the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.