InthepersonalandfrankConfessionsofaFreeSpeechLawyer,RodneyA.Smollaoffersaninsider’sviewontheviolentconfrontationsinCharlottesvilleduringthe“summerofhate.“Blendingmemoir,courtroomdrama,andaconsiderationoftheunhealedwoundofracisminoursociety,heshinesalightontheconflictbetweenthevalueoffreespeechandtheprotectionofcivilrights.Smollahasspenthiscareerinthethickofthesetempestuousandfraughtissues,fromactingasleadcounselinafamousSupremeCourtdecisionchallengingVirginia’slawagainstburningcrosses,toservingasco-counselinalibelsuitbroughtbyafraternityagainstRollingStonemagazineforpublishinganarticleallegingthatoneofthefraternity’sinitiationritualsincludedgangrape.Smollahasalsobeenactiveasauniversityleader,servingasdeanofthreelawschoolsandpresidentofoneandrailingagainsthatespeechandsexualassaultonUScampuses.Wellbeforethetikitorchescasttheirominousshadowsacrossthenation,thecityofCharlottesvillesoughttorelocatetheUnitetheRightrally;Smollawasapproachedtorepresentthealt-rightgroups.Thoughhedeclined,hecametowonderwhathishistoryofadvocacyhadwrought.Feelingunsettlinglycomplicit,hejoinedtheCharlottesvilleTaskForce,andherealizedthattheeventsthattranspiredtherehadmeaningandresonancefarbeyondasingulartimeandplace.Why,hewonders,hasoneofourfoundationalrightscreatedalandinwhichsuchtragicclasheshappenalltoofrequently?
