"Free"dom of Speech

George Washington once said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Our words cannot be silence no matter how much one may disagree with it.The article Can Cries of ‘Free Speech’ Be a Weapon? Students Say Yes discuss's the issue and limitations of freedom of speech. The question that has provoked many arguments is, can free speech be used as a weapon? Well, can a pencil? Can a rock? Yes, but only if that is its intended purpose. The purpose of our right to say what we want is so we can try and better our community and rid our lives of things unjust. But everyone is so sensitive these days if one person says, "this car is red" and other says back, "i see it as maroon." The first one will have a melt down and run to his "safe space" because guy two had a different perspective. It feels as if there is no more discussion on any topic. Just arguing. And arguing overall can be good and not destructive as long as the persons debating take into thought the other side instead of just always taking offense. But everyone is now just trying to understand the feelings of the "troubled" instead of implementing the good ol' use of tough love. There is no way to move on, no lessons learned, if we just give in and give space 24/7.

Surprisingly enough the people with the most intolerance for free speech seem to be the most opinionated, college students. They all say, "I want to change the world", "I'm going to make a stand and make a difference". But how can they make a stand when they are all sitting in the safe space, in fear because they don't want to be "triggered". This coming generation may be turning against the thought of free speech. The Gallup poll last spring showed that a majority of students were for free expression but also in favor for restrictions on "intentionally offensive" speech.. This whole debate contradicts the "old fashion" free speech view. Some are even trying to put restrictions on offensive Halloween costumes. Why? I understand some people dress in not necessarily the most appropriate costumes, but people dress like that on a day to day basis so what will saying no to the outfit do? And what will it do for you? Oh good job you told someone they looked trashy in that slutty cat costume. Go home to your safe space and pat yourself on the back and be proud. And those of you upset because a comment was made on what you're wearing because its limiting your free expression, guess what the other person is using to call you out on what you wore? Oh yeah free speech. Funny. Everyone gets offended by everything, even being offended can be consider offensive. The older generations always whine and complain about how we are all overly sensitive and that we have everything handed to us. Well who do they think give out the hand outs? They do. You mock the so called, "trigger warnings", and "safe spaces", but then when confronted and called out, most advocate for it. The people creating the easy "fixes" to the problem are actually just avoiding resolving the issues entirely.

I'm not saying I don’t believe there are real issues and some people do struggle, I'm just saying what happened the expectations of picking yourself up and dusting yourself off? I've been there, I understand, I've been hurt by what people say. But I keep my head up and solider on like I've been taught. You cannot move on from what ails you if all you do is sit and wallow in it. And no changes can be made to the world if no-one is allowed to speak up or if restrictions are put on the content. Free speech is a gift and we are all juts greedy kids wanting it all for ourselves, never wanting to share, never wanting anyone to else have it to. "Free speech is something we should be able to come together on", Greg Lukianoff, president of FIRE, brings up an excellent point with this. Free speech is worldly lusted for yet no-one seems to want anyone to have it. They want everyone to be happy go lucky people with their heads in the clouds hoping that if they pretend everything is ok, then magically it will be. People don’t want the real world to be the real world anymore. They want it to be a place filled with no sadness, no hard life experiences. But that in itself is unhealthy. We will never, ourselves, jump out into the harsh world we've been told about since Freshman year. So let us argue. Don’t put restrictions on our thoughts, our tongues on a leash, and our minds locked in a "safe" space. Let us debate and think and speak. Let our words be as free as they were intended to be. And if you, yourself, are one of the sad souls fighting for less freedom of speech, think about what your using in your argument. Think about what's letting you say such outlandish things. Hint: the very thing your arguing to against.

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