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Freedom of Speech or Freedom from Speech?


Most people who live in democratic societies believe that free speech is a basic human right. The freedom of speech dates back to Ancient Greece; it became a fundamental part of the democracy of Athens. “Leaders, philosophers, playwrights and everyday Athenians were free to openly discuss politics and religion…”. In the United States, Freedom of Speech is ensured in the First Amendment. The only speech that is not protected by the First Amendment is child pornography, true threats, defamation, and plagiarism of copyrighted material. 1 This idea of free speech has been cherished by Americans for hundreds of years, but we are in danger of losing it. 
Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education explained, “A generation is being raised not to believe in freedom of speech but rather that they should have freedom from speech.” 2 Should we ban things that are deemed hateful or hurtful?

Safe spaces are "A place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or challenged on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability; a place where the rules guard each person's self-respect, dignity and feelings and strongly encourage everyone to respect others." 3 Speech codes supporting political correctness are now the norms on college campuses. According to a study done by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, “54% of public universities and 59% of private universities currently impose politically correct speech codes on their campuses.” 2

People should be respectful to each other, but there needs to be a line drawn between restricting aggressive speech and restricting another person’s free speech. Colleges not allowing speakers like Ben Shapiro, Milo Yiannopoulos, and other famously conservative lecturers to come to their campuses is not protecting hate speech, rather it is limiting free speech.

The ability for us as Americans to speak freely came from a small group of patriots rebelliously speaking about their mother country. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government: When this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved.” 4 Not allowing people to respectfully speak their minds captivates them. Not allowing people to respectfully speak their minds will create a captive society. The reason for limiting free speech is only to put one’s opponent into captivity. Captivity never was liberty.

Thomas Jefferson was beat up by the newspapers of his day, yet he explained, “it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” 5 Although he was hurt by the newspapers, Jefferson did not want to put his opposition into captivity. Once given to one, captivity spreads to all. Captivity snuffs out the fire of liberty.

Notes
1. Freedom of speech. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.history.com/topics/ freedom-of-speech
2. PragerU. Does free speech offend you? [Video file]. (2015, August 31). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vVohGWhMWs
3. Glossary: Creating safe spaces for GLBTQ youth- a toolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=607&Itemid=177
4. Great American thinkers on free speech. (2015, January 16). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2015/01/16/history/great-american-thinkers-free-speech.html
5. Jefferson’s preference for “newspapers without government” over “government without newspapers” (1787). (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from http://oll.libertyfund.org/quote/302


Laine McKay Norton is a 16 year old junior in high school at Heritage Academy in Mesa, Arizona. Laine is a company member with the prestigious youth ballet, Ballet Etudes. She participates in her school's debate club and newspaper, and has owned a small business since she was 12 years old. She enjoys studying human nature and social contracts. Laine has traveled with her father speaking at various conferences. Laine currently resides in Gilbert, Arizona.
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