Picket signs with proclamations of freedom in hand, African-Americans sought out their individual freedoms 50 years ago this approaching week. In honor of the revolution led by Martin Luther King Jr, the University of Wyoming will help celebrate the movement through a variety of guest speakers and events around campus. Gene Policinski, director of the First Amendment Center, is one of many guest speakers scheduled for the event.
Graduating from Ball State University with the occasional class at Nashville School of Law, Policinski found his passion within the written word. He worked for various newspapers, radio, television and online operations, all contributing to his commitment to the first amendment of the constitution. He also co-writes for a weekly national column concerning the first amendment. However, one of his greatest achievements was his Emmy win for the public television program, “Speak Freely.” Policinski is also recognized as one of the initiating editors of USA TODAY.
Today, the high profile veteran journalist splits his time between being the executive director and senior vice president of the First Amendment Center along with being president and chief operator of the Diversity Institute.
In a news conference for the Columbia Journalism Institute last April, Policinski discussed media coverage on race and social mobility. Panelists debated the issue of social media and race, specifically on the political correctness of the use of “illegal immigrant.”
During the Martin Luther King Jr. week at the University of Wyoming, Policinski will discuss the first steps to granting freedom toward African Americans in the 1960s. Specifically, the executive director of the First Amendment Center will go in-depth with the five freedoms of the first amendment and how they contribute to what Policinski refers to as, “one of the United States’ most pivotal changes: the Civil Rights Movement.”
