Op-Ed: Freedom of Speech

The debate of freedom of speech is one that prevails today, especially with the current political sphere. Freedom of speech can be taken out of context and used to harm people rather than just express feelings and ideas. To understand freedom of speech one must first understand what it means to have freedom at all. Freedom means to have liberty to choose your own actions but it comes with a limit; your freedom ends where another's begins. This means that you can exercise your rights unless they affect the rights of others; harming them and limiting their own freedom. This can be very tricky when it comes to freedom of speech.

On college campus’ where students are encouraged to express and develop new ways of thinking the question of what can be said and what can’t is always debated. This past school year, American University has faced multiple incidents where that freedom of speech and expression have been abused. There have been two instances where posters advocating for white supremacy, anti gun control, and racially charged statements where placed around campus. This lead to the conversation of “if we are here to express ourselves why are we censored,” but the prevention of these acts is not censorship because of how those ideas were meant to cause harm.

People don’t often see their words as being able to cause harm as it is not physical and that is when your freedom of speech is at risk. You have the right to express your thoughts but the intention that fuels them is what sets the type of speech apart. Now this intention is very different to that of just not agreeing with someone and shutting them down. If what is being said creates a dialogue and not one that creates hate then there is freedom of speech but if what is said is meant to insult or bring down a person then there you are not exercising your freedom of speech.

American University is not the first nor will it be the last to have to set clear and debate what the constitution really means when it says freedom of speech and expression. This is not limited tot colleges and universities but now even at high schools. With the recent marches in response to the latest school shootings freedom of speech is hanging on a thin thread. The students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas have been criticized for their forms of expressing thoughts that many (especially political figures) disagree with. People are beginning to stand up and express opinions for something like gun control to further our safety and freedom. The way they express their thoughts are only with hopeful intentions but the responses they receive are charged with anger and disagreement.

Both groups argue that they are only exercising their freedom of speech but only one side is truly right. The students and adults fighting for gun control are not trying to take the rights away from other but only protect the lives of more. While on the other had those who disagree respond by sending hateful remarks and editing images to make those protesting seem unpatriotic and shutting them down. The difference is clear and you can see why freedom of speech is necessary and useful when used to create better thinking but does not mean expressing hurtful remarks.