The University of Memphis was honored to have Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, Leonard Pitts, to speak on behalf of the  First Amendment Lecture Series. Pitts is the author of several books including: "Freeman," "Before I Forget" and "Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood."
Last night, Pitts strictly highlighted the use of the first amendment as well as his own personal opinion of the amendment, which can be summed up in one quote that gets repeated multiple times during the lecture. “You may call me out of my name if you feel so.”

Pitts stresses this quote when he explains to his audience that people have the right to say whatever they want or not say whatever they want under the protection of the first amendment. He also goes on to describe his fears of the state of the first amendment expressing that first amendment should not be bent by personal feelings. Unless the speech is slander or some other exception of the first amendment, people of the United States should be able to express themselves however they feel. Pitts goes on to bring up examples of public figures that have displayed controversy opinions of the first amendment. He criticizes former President, George Bush when he publicly states, “There should be limits on freedom.” Bush made this statement after he was mocked online. Specifically Bush was pertaining to the first amendment. 
Pitt's lecture on the first amendment was engaging enough to keep the audience tweeting specific quotes from evening along with comments such as, "Such a well researched defense of the first amendment. Leonard Pitts charged us to think about our rights and protect them."