I’ve always believed in free speech. Always. It’s a cornerstone of any decent society — the right to speak your mind, challenge the status quo, ask difficult questions, and have your say. But yesterday… yesterday tested my patience with that principle.
Because here’s the thing: free speech doesn’t mean free rein to spout utter nonsense without consequence. It doesn’t mean you get to be deliberately provocative, offensive, or flat-out wrong and expect everyone to nod along politely.
Some of the stuff I’ve seen and heard in the last few days — online and in real life — has gone beyond healthy debate or difference of opinion. It’s been ignorant. Cruel. Pointless. And I’ll be honest, it’s made me really angry.
We live in a world where people confuse “being outspoken” with “being obnoxious.” Where the louder you shout, the more airtime you get — regardless of whether what you’re saying has an ounce of truth or value. And we’ve got to be better than that.
I’m all for hearing different viewpoints. I welcome disagreement — it’s how we learn and grow. But when opinions are delivered with venom or rooted in misinformation, they stop being conversations and start becoming noise. Dangerous noise.
So yes, I still believe in free speech. But I also believe in responsibility, respect, and the idea that not every thought needs to be broadcast, especially if it does more harm than good.
Say what you like — but be ready for people to call you out if what you’re saying is ignorant, hateful, or just plain wrong. That’s also free speech.
And today, I’m using mine.