2d • General discussion
The Lectern
The Lectern
By Kathleen Tonn
I walked into PAS Room 119 and took my seat in the fifth row of the small auditorium. The capacity sign at the entrance door read one-hundred-and twenty people. The university met the fire department’s regulations.
I sat on the left side closest to the exit. A habit I acquired after a fire broke out in a movie theater I was in. Survival instinct.
Other students were filing into the auditorium. Some were talking excitedly about their winning team at the Super Bowl. Others were discussing their bus routes that were disrupted by the awful snowstorm that resulted in the cancelation of classes.
I just sat in my seat looking at the simple, brown lectern. Noble speakers, in years past, used it to convey heartfelt messages on the importance of civic participation. After all, this lecture hall was used primarily by the Political Science Department.
Today’s guest, Jonathan Renaldo Targetto, would speak on the crisis of the first amendment housed in the U.S. Constitution.
I heard him speak at Lexington University a year earlier. He was sincere; yet, his passion for the Constitution was conveyed through a quick wit. His sarcastic humor sliced through student boredom like a knife. No puffery, no platitudes and no poison diluted his message
Silence fell in the room as our instructor walked up to the lectern.
“Students, I want to welcome Mr. Targetto to our class. His knowledge of the Constitution and the first amendment is extraordinary. He will give you ample understanding of why you can grumble on social media about the referee’s fatal call in yesterday’s Super Bowl.
With those words, laughter spread across the room from the fans of the winning team.
Then Mr. Targetto took his place at the lectern.
“I oppose your laughter students. I support the losers.”
A fresh wave of laughter sprung up. Not by the students who joyfully threw barbs at those whose team lost. Instead, the laughter came from those besmirched students supporting the losing team.
“Okay, let’s get serious. I’ve got forty-five minutes to convey the importance of free speech. Without your understanding of this vital amendment, and your commitment to it, you will lose it. Do I have your attention?”
The room was silent. All one-hundred and twenty souls shut their mouths.
“First, I am going to compare and contrast a republic against and autocratic state. Second, I am going to ask you to take three minutes and write down which state you want to occupy. Third, I’m going to call on five of you to read your declaration. The five will be selected by my finger pointing. Are you ready?”
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The Lectern
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