Healthy Speech Is Better Than Free Speech

In the wake of the January 7th terrorist attacks against Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical weekly magazine, we’ve heard both arguments for and against free speech.

On one hand, many have argued that free speech is the mere exercise of one’s right under the 19th amendment in the Declaration of Human Rights—some often going as far as mocking religious zealots and racist bigots. On the other hand, people around the world have lost their lives at the hands of ruling tyrants. In the Renaissance Era, Giordano Bruno was burned alive for his views on the innumerable worlds above and the movement of the Earth. In modern day, the FBI unsuccessfully tried to silence Martin Luther King Jr. during the Second Reconstruction and civil rights revolution.

For many people, the unqualified right to free speech has promoted world-wide ridicule and public embarrassment. Free speech is not only the reason behind why we are aware of even the least substantiated Bill Cosby sexual assault allegations, but also why cyber bullying on various media outlets have been so pervasive. On October 10th, 2012 Amanda Todd hung herself after receiving an onslaught of physical and verbal attacks for sending nude photos on the internet. Public ridicule has had a profound effect on the emotional well being of people.

While Amanda Todd’s suicide may have had more to do with cyber stalking than anything else, free but unhealthy speech could be argued as the underlying motivator for her decision to end her life. If Amanda Todd’s suicide taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t abuse the legal principle that grants us the right to expression of thoughts and beliefs. At the same time, we shouldn’t be so arrogant as to not consider the opinions of others. As we’ve seen with other world issues, the solution is almost never black or white. A middle ground must be forged for both parties to truly learn and grow.

It’s cliché to say respect goes both ways, but it’s nonsensical that racist comments in some countries are deterred to the point of non-existence by anti-discriminatory laws but religious disrespect goes unpunished. Both the recipient and the receiver of free speech have a duty to respect human thought and expression. I challenge anyone reading this to find compromise in how you give or receive free speech. Benjamin Franklin believed that “the strictest law sometimes becomes the severest injustice.” Make no mistake; healthy speech is not regulated speech. Like the right to bear arms, we must not treat the right to expression as an all or nothing right or we risk losing a truly principled nation.

I urge you to make your thoughts free but your speech healthy.