by Stuart F. James
posted July 20, 2003
Once a week, I choose to exercise my right to free speech on the pages of this publication — expressing views, and thoughts, that are my own. This week, in choosing to exercise free speech, I thought of issues from accusations of sloppy work by the President regarding the war on Iraq to Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore’s loss on his fight to display the Ten Commandments. In researching issues to write about, I came across an editorial that disturbed me — one that went to the very heart of my right — our right to free speech.
The editorial was titled “The Dangers of Speaking One’s Mind.” At first, I thought to myself — what danger is there in expressing oneself? Why can’t each of us express our thoughts, our ideas? Why can’t we differ in opinion, express those differences, and revel in the idea that we are free to express ourselves without fear of retribution?
The author of this editorial wrote that “many are afraid to be candid about their true feelings. I, myself, spoke out on a subject in a letter to the editor of the local paper and the following Sunday at church I was told straightforwardly that I had better be careful what I said around the church. I had no intention of bringing up politics at church because I feel that is not the proper place for political discourse. Still, I was upset by the warning but later realized that the person was just trying to save me from the equivalent of being ridden out of town on a rail, tarred and feathered. I know now that I cannot, even in lieu of the First Amendment, say what I really think in certain places and to certain people.”
Do we live in communities across this country where we cannot say what we really think in certain places, and to certain people? Are we becoming a society where we live in fear of expressing ourselves for fear of “being ridden out of town on a rail, tarred and feathered?” Must we live in fear knowing we cannot say what we think in certain places to certain people? Are editors of our news media — the very symbol of free speech — telling us that we better be careful, for fear of retribution? I certainly hope not — as all of us must on writing, keep on thinking, and keep on expressing our views - something the right of free speech enables us to do.
Stuart James
Sjames139@comcast.net
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