Freedom of expression is critical on its own, but even more so when one sees it as a cornerstone upon which our liberties are founded. If we can’t express ourselves without fear, it’s hard to protect any of our freedoms.
Today, censorship is everywhere. We’re being told what we’re allowed to post on social media, who can speak on college campuses and even what jokes we can laugh at. Just as worrying – if not more so – people in America are even censoring themselves. The fear of retribution is very real, but denying ourselves our freedoms is a dangerous path to walk that offers limited reward in the short term and none over time.
It’s almost impossible to be uncancellable. You can probably think of several people off the top of your head who have been rendered untouchable – often due to a minor offense or simply a difference of opinion. It’s tough out there, and any one of us could be next. The culture wars have made cancellation a chief weapon.
Although “cancel culture” may seem like something new, it has a longer history than you think. The FBI tried to cancel Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s – and that was before the internet got involved and made it even easier to gin up anger and fear. Now, mobs have come for celebrities from Scarlett Johansson and Dave Chapelle to J.K. Rowling and Chrissy Teigen – among countless others. With everyone at risk, will you get out unscathed?
We can end this.
It all starts with a community of people who embrace, with optimism and positivity, issues of freedom of expression, mutual respect and common sense. This is our America to protect, and protecting freedom of expression is an important step. A more united America makes that happen.
It’s time to normalize being ok with disagreement and learning from new perspectives instead of shutting them out. By listening to each other, we can find the common ground that will unify us and change America.
