I Cannot Support Your Free Speech If It Shackles Others
Start writing a post
Politics

I Cannot Support Your Free Speech If It Shackles Others

On the recent Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlottesville, Va.

58
I Cannot Support Your Free Speech If It Shackles Others
USA Today

I feel like I shouldn't have to be celebrating the fact that 1,000 counterprotestors outnumbered 50 Ku Klux Klan members at their recent rally in Charlottesville, Va. But this sort of thing doesn't just go away if it's ignored.


It's a question of which side of history you want to be on. Do you want to be silent in the face of daily hatred and brutality? Do you want to carry Confederate flags like the KKK? Do you want to protest the removal of Confederate generals like Robert E. Lee like the KKK? Or, even further, do you want to support our president like the KKK? Personally, I don't want anything to do with this domestic terrorist group. I feel like that should be common knowledge.

This is the question I have for the Charlottesville and Virginia state police: what side of history do you want to be on? Tear gassing threatened citizens while escorting and protecting terrorists? The choice for justice is clear.

The only option is to speak up, to oppose. As one anti-Klan protestor, Precious Williams, said at the rally, "I believe that if you just stay silent, nothing gets done."

This rally is not an issue of free speech. The organization's speech threatens African American lives. It is historically terroristic and genocidal.

Your rights end where mine begin.

I cannot support your free speech if it shackles others. If your speech is threatening someone's life, liberty and/or pursuit of happiness, it's indefensible. Opposing, and even banning, hate demonstrations like KKK rallies is not a slippery slope. It protects Americans from terrorism.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

93676
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments