The Future of Free Speech & Censorship - Karen Attiah | Rapid Response #30

In September, then-Washington Post Global Opinions Editor Karen Attiah was fired from the Washington Post for expressing her opinions about gun violence. What has happened since is the real story.Support the show by checking out: ProtonVPN (gold-standard VPN—fast and safe. Click the link to get 55% off VPN Plus: $4.49/mo). ZBiotics (Decrease impact of hangovers. Code: JESSEDAMIANI for 10% off), MUD\WTR (43% off starter kits), 1Password (simplify your life and increase digital safety), Mission Farms CBD (healthy, effective CBD for relief, sleep, and wellbeing—25% off with email).BIO: Karen Attiah is an award-winning journalist, columnist, and global thought leader whose work explores the intersections of race, culture, gender, and international affairs. She was born and raised in DeSoto, Texas, and began her journey in media and advocacy at 19 through an internship at the Dallas Public Defender’s Office. A formative summer in Spain studying Spanish ignited her lifelong commitment to international storytelling and human rights.A former Fulbright Scholar to Ghana, Karen has reported from across the globe—including Nigeria, Germany, Curaçao, and beyond. Her reporting and commentary have appeared in Voice of America, Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Haitian Times, and other international outlets. She is also a frequent contributor to broadcast media, with appearances on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, and CBC.In 2016, Karen became the founding editor of The Washington Post’s Global Opinions section, where she commissioned commentary from some of the world’s most influential thinkers and dissidents. She became a staff columnist in 2021. Her writing—widely recognized for its clarity, courage, and impact—focuses on global justice, human rights, and the Black diaspora.Karen’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2019 George Polk Special Award, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Freedom Writer Award, the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year Award, and recognition in Essence’s “Woke 100” and The Root 100. Washingtonian magazine named her a “Star to Watch” in 2021.She is the author of the forthcoming book Say Your Word, Then Leave, about the life and assassination of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, whom she worked with closely during the last year of his life.In addition to her work as a writer and commentator, Karen is an amateur Muay Thai fighter and boxing enthusiast, having trained and competed both in the U.S. and abroad. She was the 2021 U.S. Muay Thai Open Silver Medalist in the 125-132 pound division.CREDITS: This podcast is produced & edited by Adam Labrie & me, Jesse Damiani. Adam Labrie also edited the video version, which is available on YouTube.Find more episodes of Urgent Futures at: youtube.com/@UrgentFutures. Get full access to Reality Studies at www.realitystudies.co/subscribe