With great freedom... comes what?
What does it mean to have free speech? Hivda Aydogan explores an issue that seems to become more complicated with every passing year
At first thought, the clearest understanding of the idea of free speech is certainly the thought that suggests that as humans, we should exercise our inalienable right to speak on our beliefs - beliefs that we are more than entitled to have. To a certain extent, this definition is more than acceptable - it would be morally corrupt to suggest that we should not all have the right to speak our mind without fearing some form of cruel consequence as a result of it.
Would it not?
The harsh truth however, is that there are certain complexities and intricacies that may actually provide room for the opposing argument - is freedom of speech a right that all of us are entitled to? Or rather, is it that the real form of corruption lies within the way people manipulate this right in ways that cause collateral damage to the political and emotional state of society?
Freedom of speech is clearly defined as “the right of a person to articulate opinions and ideas without interference or retaliation from the government.” What is implicit in the use of the word ‘speech’ - and this is vital to understand - is also that it constitutes expression that includes far more than just words, but also what a person wears, reads, performs, protests and more. The restriction of freedom of speech is not a constraint of words alone; whilst arguably the instigator of a more gradual change, I assure you that silence is more than capable of causing the same amount of disruptive chaos.
First and foremost, it’s important to establish the pivotal impact free speech has had throughout history, and simultaneously how inhumane the conditions have been in circumstances where free speech has not been present. There have been so many instances of each that it seems counterintuitive to explain in depth each and every one - regardless, the impact it has had on the socio-political stance of society has been colossal. There have been huge demonstrations of outrage and criticism in regards to restrictive measures against innocent people of this world - who have no choice but to suffer at the hands of tyrannical leaders and a cyclically oppressive system. This is somewhat ironic, considering there have been implementations of certain laws in our own so-called progressive society that prevent our free speech.
Humankind has known pain and recognised its intrinsic link with our lives - for some, this has led to submissive and passive acceptance, for some it has led to grudging acceptance, for others it has led to incandescent denial. But for each and every year we have known pain, I’d like to wager that there has been some form of resistance. For most, there is consolation in the fact that it is an innate part of human nature to not submit without a fight, to not give up their rights so quickly to those in power. We have seen this through early forms of resistance - there have been Prayer Book rebellions in Scotland all the way back in the 1600’s by those who did not want to give up their right to talk about their religious teachings, there have been Suffragettes who campaigned tirelessly and gave their life for women to have what was arguably the most basic levels of respect -there have been protestors who have marched these streets ten times over at the mere hope that their action and resistance would lead to some form of change in South Africa, in Palestine, in Iraq.
We have fought hard for our right to have autonomy over our own opinions and actions. We have fought tirelessly to prevent ourselves from being lulled into an uncritical, undemanding passivity that reduces us into a robotic trance.
However, it must be noted that we have also destroyed. We have used this right to speak on our values and beliefs without restriction and to unleash torrents of chaos and foundationless hatred that have wrecked and ruined the harmony of society. We have hurt people with this right, demonstrating the cruelty we claimed to lie only in the hands of the powers above; from every level of society, there have been instances of racism, misogyny, transphobia - and so much more.
And here, we are presented with a moral dilemma that is inescapable. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, but it can also be chilling in its discoveries. In hindsight, freedom of speech - which is a right some think we are all entitled to from the moment we speak our first words - has caused nearly as much damage to society as it has helped us to fight. We have seen dictators use their freedom of speech to incite detestation and abhorrence against other countries or against particular groups in society; we have seen them polarise societies into furious conflict; we have seen the marginalisation and discrimination of innocent people as a result of indoctrination.
There lies the problem. We could make the case at length about how important it is for the democratic development of our society that we maintain our right to free speech and protect and guard it to the last, to use it to incite positive change that helps us progress as humankind - but how can we, when there is so much evidence to prove the contrary? How can we assess who could use freedom of speech to ignite a havoc of destruction, or who would use it to instil tranquillity into troubled times?
We are not all independent, fully conscious beings. There are those among us - a huge majority - that conform quickly and unquestioningly, and enjoy the sense of belonging that comes with being part of a community too much to also consider the ethics behind what it is they are a part of. When those dangerous people with influence or power see this naivety in the masses, they quickly pounce on the opportunity to twist weak and fragile minds into a miniature version of whatever darkness lies within theirs.
Perhaps there is no clear conclusion. The balances constantly change between tipping in favour of positive societal change, and a savage, barbaric threat that may result in further hostility and resentment among us. With this in mind, think hard about the way in which you perceive free speech. Like any weapon, it can be used for the sake of greater good and to provide some form of better alternative for the community - simultaneously, wielding a weapon of as much magnitude and weight as words, can result in the demolition of peace as we know it.
Freedom of speech can raise us up, and it can be our destructive downfall. This paradox is capable of producing pain and pleasure, good and evil, right and wrong - the truth is it reflects us: it is cruel as well as virtuous. It is like a firearm that bears no blame until someone fires it at the enemy or deliberately within their own ranks.
We have been gifted with choice, and it is completely up to us what we do with it. No matter the amount of change that has been brought forth as a result of free speech, and no matter the amount of pain and suffering that has been committed by humanity against humanity, one thing is absolutely clear: we are all at the mercy of each other.
Hivda Aydogan, Year 12
At first thought, the clearest understanding of the idea of free speech is certainly the thought that suggests that as humans, we should exercise our inalienable right to speak on our beliefs - beliefs that we are more than entitled to have. To a certain extent, this definition is more than acceptable - it would be morally corrupt to suggest that we should not all have the right to speak our mind without fearing some form of cruel consequence as a result of it.
Would it not?
The harsh truth however, is that there are certain complexities and intricacies that may actually provide room for the opposing argument - is freedom of speech a right that all of us are entitled to? Or rather, is it that the real form of corruption lies within the way people manipulate this right in ways that cause collateral damage to the political and emotional state of society?
Freedom of speech is clearly defined as “the right of a person to articulate opinions and ideas without interference or retaliation from the government.” What is implicit in the use of the word ‘speech’ - and this is vital to understand - is also that it constitutes expression that includes far more than just words, but also what a person wears, reads, performs, protests and more. The restriction of freedom of speech is not a constraint of words alone; whilst arguably the instigator of a more gradual change, I assure you that silence is more than capable of causing the same amount of disruptive chaos.
First and foremost, it’s important to establish the pivotal impact free speech has had throughout history, and simultaneously how inhumane the conditions have been in circumstances where free speech has not been present. There have been so many instances of each that it seems counterintuitive to explain in depth each and every one - regardless, the impact it has had on the socio-political stance of society has been colossal. There have been huge demonstrations of outrage and criticism in regards to restrictive measures against innocent people of this world - who have no choice but to suffer at the hands of tyrannical leaders and a cyclically oppressive system. This is somewhat ironic, considering there have been implementations of certain laws in our own so-called progressive society that prevent our free speech.
Humankind has known pain and recognised its intrinsic link with our lives - for some, this has led to submissive and passive acceptance, for some it has led to grudging acceptance, for others it has led to incandescent denial. But for each and every year we have known pain, I’d like to wager that there has been some form of resistance. For most, there is consolation in the fact that it is an innate part of human nature to not submit without a fight, to not give up their rights so quickly to those in power. We have seen this through early forms of resistance - there have been Prayer Book rebellions in Scotland all the way back in the 1600’s by those who did not want to give up their right to talk about their religious teachings, there have been Suffragettes who campaigned tirelessly and gave their life for women to have what was arguably the most basic levels of respect -there have been protestors who have marched these streets ten times over at the mere hope that their action and resistance would lead to some form of change in South Africa, in Palestine, in Iraq.
We have fought hard for our right to have autonomy over our own opinions and actions. We have fought tirelessly to prevent ourselves from being lulled into an uncritical, undemanding passivity that reduces us into a robotic trance.
However, it must be noted that we have also destroyed. We have used this right to speak on our values and beliefs without restriction and to unleash torrents of chaos and foundationless hatred that have wrecked and ruined the harmony of society. We have hurt people with this right, demonstrating the cruelty we claimed to lie only in the hands of the powers above; from every level of society, there have been instances of racism, misogyny, transphobia - and so much more.
And here, we are presented with a moral dilemma that is inescapable. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, but it can also be chilling in its discoveries. In hindsight, freedom of speech - which is a right some think we are all entitled to from the moment we speak our first words - has caused nearly as much damage to society as it has helped us to fight. We have seen dictators use their freedom of speech to incite detestation and abhorrence against other countries or against particular groups in society; we have seen them polarise societies into furious conflict; we have seen the marginalisation and discrimination of innocent people as a result of indoctrination.
There lies the problem. We could make the case at length about how important it is for the democratic development of our society that we maintain our right to free speech and protect and guard it to the last, to use it to incite positive change that helps us progress as humankind - but how can we, when there is so much evidence to prove the contrary? How can we assess who could use freedom of speech to ignite a havoc of destruction, or who would use it to instil tranquillity into troubled times?
We are not all independent, fully conscious beings. There are those among us - a huge majority - that conform quickly and unquestioningly, and enjoy the sense of belonging that comes with being part of a community too much to also consider the ethics behind what it is they are a part of. When those dangerous people with influence or power see this naivety in the masses, they quickly pounce on the opportunity to twist weak and fragile minds into a miniature version of whatever darkness lies within theirs.
Perhaps there is no clear conclusion. The balances constantly change between tipping in favour of positive societal change, and a savage, barbaric threat that may result in further hostility and resentment among us. With this in mind, think hard about the way in which you perceive free speech. Like any weapon, it can be used for the sake of greater good and to provide some form of better alternative for the community - simultaneously, wielding a weapon of as much magnitude and weight as words, can result in the demolition of peace as we know it.
Freedom of speech can raise us up, and it can be our destructive downfall. This paradox is capable of producing pain and pleasure, good and evil, right and wrong - the truth is it reflects us: it is cruel as well as virtuous. It is like a firearm that bears no blame until someone fires it at the enemy or deliberately within their own ranks.
We have been gifted with choice, and it is completely up to us what we do with it. No matter the amount of change that has been brought forth as a result of free speech, and no matter the amount of pain and suffering that has been committed by humanity against humanity, one thing is absolutely clear: we are all at the mercy of each other.
Hivda Aydogan, Year 12