So many times we hear about words or phrases that are not tolerated in certain institutions. We hear stories of students or people that get asked to leave for voicing an unpopular opinion about some sort of social issue. We have heard too many times from the democratic side that, "we need to understand one another and forget these ideas of hate," while we hear too much from the republican side that today's world is, "too politically correct."
Both are wrong.
Usually, the Democrats stifle ignorant speech to try to create a more safe and inclusive environment for everyone and, while their end goal is respectable, their process does them no good. They seem to want to control a way of thinking, regardless of if this way of thinking is better for the whole of society. Words, beliefs, and ideologies are not tolerated because they harm another group of individuals. Stifling this sort of speech not only silences the ignorant but tries to silence the other political party.
Same for the Republicans. Their controversial stances on social issues give them, unfortunately, the short end of the stick. Some of their ideologies are not tolerated and their voices are silenced with words like, "racist, homophobe," and, "xenophobe." So, Republicans fight back. Stifling their speech only wants to attack those that silence them; it does not open them to debate.
And then there are the ignorant in this situation. The ones that are really the targets of the democrats. Those that take a controversial stance not because they are an informed member of their political party, but because they are an uninformed member of society as a whole. They have become ignorant to other people's needs in society and have a warped view of reality. Many times it hurts people unlike them and paints a negative picture of the diverse members.
Regardless of this, we cannot stifle ignorant speech.
Stifling is not equivalent to correcting. Silencing them is not equivalent to teaching them. This does not fix the problem. What it does is give those who are affected what they want temporarily, while it takes away a democratic right from others. Their ignorant speech, though wrong in many cases, are protected by the First Amendment and needs to be respected.
How, then, do we go about ridding society of ignorance?
Instead of silence, teach. When someone expresses an opinion that seems ignorant or incorrect, ask them to look at it in a different way. Offer other articles that may inform them of the situation at hand.
Instead of stifle, correct. Let the person know that what they said is incorrect, and offer the true facts of the issue. Listen to their side and why they feel that way, and understand everyone's process of thinking is different. Inform them that the social issue does not threaten the rights granted to them.
We need to create a society that welcomes all members. We need to keep our members informed. We cannot stifle ignorant speech to save feelings, but correct ignorant thinking to save knowledge.
