All too often people are throwing around this idea that they ‘have the right to Freedom of Speech’ when someone challenges a comment they’ve made. Today I conducted an experiment playing the devils advocate on a few fellow bloggers. What an experience. Man did I get my head ripped off. There was one blogger in particular that stood out. After I expressed my opinion on his particular topic, he quickly claimed his right to freedom of speech and let me know that I was stopping him from exercising his right. That’s the thing with free speech. You have to be able to accept that everyone else is entitled to his or her own opinions too. I never once told him that his views were not valid. I was simply just giving the other side of the story. He probably just needs to grow a pair and take the criticism being handed.
As long as we fulfill our responsibilities to freedom of speech there should be nothing stopping us from expressing our views. They may be dickheads but who are we to tell them otherwise? Next time someone says something offensive, why don’t we all take a leaf out of Elanor Roosevelt’s book? In the words of the late and great, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. The next time you feel a ‘Jake the Muss’ coming along because of something someone has said, climb a bridge and get over it. God knows we have better things to worry about then he said, she said.
Interesting experiment!
ReplyDeleteI do feel 'freedom of speech' is definitely thrown around too easily. - In a way I guess, it's somewhat misunderstood and misused (as I feel you have touched on).
I do particularly enjoy how short your posts are, although perhaps another paragraph or two in each wouldn't hurt.
I think freedom of speech means you have a right to an opinion which may not be the same as others. However it does not mean that you can be rude and disrespectful to others because they may not think the same as you.
ReplyDeleteYour quote may not have the same meaning for every culture other than in western society. in a dictatorship you can be made to be inferior without you consent.
Hmm interesting topic. I think it is important we have freedom of speech, I quite like the old debate, and sometimes its good to hear opinions which contradict our own. Although it can be incredibly annoying sometimes hearing rude or hurtful comments and not being able to do anything about it. Yeah Paul Henry is a good example. It was amazing how much support he got when he was taken of breakfast last year. I think that is because many people like hearing someone not afraid to execute their right to speak from time to time, although i disagreed with his comments. With playing the devils advocate, i sometimes do this also when arguing with people, people just have to realize at arguing with their opinion isn't an attack on them, if they have their opinion well thought out it shouldn't really cause too much offense!
ReplyDeleteyes people have rights to tell their opinion.
ReplyDeleteit is very important