The political ideology of Libertarianism has long intrigued me. While I maintain a difficulty with adhering to any doctrine of any ideology, theology, etc (which is, in my opinion, the prerogative of any free-thinker), I must confess that the majority of concepts that derive from Libertarianism vanquish my credence to the ideology. That being stated, there is still a twinkle of brilliance that shines when I read about the Libertarians, which is their distinctive adherence to the concept of fortified freedom. By using the term, "fortified" freedom rather than "absolute freedom," I reject the concept that all rights granted to human beings should be legalized. There is a plethora of what a select few may coin as "liberties" such as suicide, usage of dangerous drugs like methamphetamine, and the practice of violent vindictiveness that I cannot support the legalization of. By using "fortified," it's a stronger and more shielded form of the term that the constitution uses, "inalienable." I am immensely infatuated with the maintenance of civil, social, and economic liberties. Of which, the liberty that I hold most dear to my heart is freedom of expression. A freedom that I sometimes find myself fearing for.

In semi-recent decades, or rather, the earlier decades of the 20th century, the fastest American century, many freedoms were not granted to humans. Before the Civil Rights Movement, individuals of color were not granted the same rights as white citizens. There was a point in the 20th century when women were not granted suffrage, or the right to vote. As an American people, an aspiring and will-power-endowed populace, we concluded that people of all races, genders, religious identity, and sexuality were entitled to the same rights illustrated by the American constitution. You know what sickens me to the same extent that sickens other like-minded individuals and/or writers of my campus? That there are individuals, people of an archaic mindset, that still adhere to the principles of oppression of human beings by their religion, race, or sexuality. It disgusts me on numerous levels and I abhor the fact that there are still Americans of all ages who believe in these bigoted principles. And most importantly, it equally disgusts me that there are people who desire legislation that would silent the expression of this bigotry.

What any self-proclaimed intellectual or practicer of expression must declare their support of is the absolute freedom of expression. Entities such as the Westboro Baptist Church, the doctrine of which expresses severe bigotry, hateful antics and fear-mongering, and a general propensity for some of the most vile and deplorable articles of doctrine, deserve the right to their freedom of expression as much as Martin Luther King, Jr. did during the 1960's. That statement may depict me as a sympathizer of this stagnant American bigotry, but just like any other citizen, I refuse to have my opinion oppressed. You know what else happens to be an expression of my opinion? The fact that I respect and idolize Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the most important and influential figures of the 20th century. Dr. King is a shining emblem of what a hero is. A person who purports himself in the face of adversary to achieve what the black population of America deserved. The same rights as their white counterparts. They deserved to be recognized by the government as an equal demographic of individuals, and therefore deserving of the same opportunities long granted to the white population of America. The Westboro Baptist Church, on the other hand's, message is vile and deplorable, my opinion of which is severe disregard and hatred. My hatred for the doctrine and activities of the Westboro Baptist Church equates to that of the hatred that the members of the Westboro congregation feels and expresses for the majority of American people.

I have expressed my opinion of these two American entities. As a writer and Academic, I believe that one is not intellectually obliged to respect the opinion of another person. They potentially may or may not respect a disagreeing individual under varying circumstances, but if a man approaches me and tells me that he is disgusted by successful women and believes that they should not be establishing a career or pursuing their dreams but rather marry a man and remain at home cleaning the house, doing laundry, and preparing dinner, then I cannot respect that opinion. I abhor that opinion, and I would most definitely question the intellect of this bigoted and archaically-minded fool. The one thing that I would respect, though, is his right to that opinion.

Across university campuses throughout the country, a poll was conducted, of which I became aware of during a conference addressing free speech at Middle Tennessee State University, that 40% of students believe that speech that could offend someone should not be tolerated or allowed on campus. Is this not an alarming proportion to anyone? Free speech, or my preferred term, freedom of expression, is the most important freedom granted to the American people. It is through pens, through paintbrushes, on word processing software, and from intellect spouting from our mouths that we have changed American history. It is through freedom of expression that artists, intellectuals, and overall citizens that have produced thought-provoking pieces of art or literature that have instilled in American minds the slow change that will eventually progress towards greatness. There was a man on campus, who I assume to be a Christian preacher but may very well simply be an activist from his church, that was spouting some of the most deplorable trash and hatred that I've ever seen firsthand. Should we be afraid of a man with a microphone, though? Should we veer differing opinions, no matter how vile or evil, with fear and proceed to pass legislation that would silent these opinions, an action which could be applied to American citizens with great ideas and important proposals for the future of this country? The answer, in my humble opinion, is no. The ongoing struggle between differentiating ideas, newer or archaic, hateful or compassionate, deplorable or brilliant, is what drives the American people. It is how we always have and hopefully, always will continue to improve on this blossoming nation. I implore each and every one of you to concur, if on nothing else, with each other that freedom of speech, or rather, the entire first amendment, shall always be protective, and we must elevate our emotional strength to new levels in order to continue the ongoing marketplace of ideas and concepts. And if you disagree with me, then I unconditionally support your right to that opinion.