Dr. Amna Khalid and Dr. Jeff Snyder delivered the 2025 Preston Lecture to students enrolled in H&SS courses on April 11. Established in 1991, the Preston Speakers Fund makes it possible for the H&SS department to invite speakers to lecture and participate in classroom discussions on the broad subject of Western history.

Dr. Khalid is an associate professor in the Department of History at Carleton College who specializes in modern South Asian history, the history of medicine, and the global history of free expression. Dr. Snyder is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Carleton College and a historian of education, whose work examines questions  about  race,  national identity and the purpose of public education in a diverse, democratic society.

The two have authored multiple books,  host  a  podcast  called “Banished,” and speak regularly about academic freedom, free speech, and campus politics at colleges and universities across the country.

In their presentation, “Speak Up! Why Free Expression is Essential for  Diversity,  Democracy,  and Education,” they offered a history of free speech and censorship in the U.S., stressing the importance of free speech to a functioning democracy and describing ways in which they believe that freedom and other civil liberties are being threatened by President Trump’s administration.

“This  topic  came  naturally, considering the geopolitical context and the shift in November with the U.S. government,” said Head of the H&SS  Department  Phil  Hodosy, who organized the lecture. “I hope that each of the 600-plus individuals sitting in Walker had some kind of meaningful,  relatable  takeaway, that’s relevant and applicable to their conversations with their peers.”