Milo Yiannopoulos' Misuse Of Free Speech Caused His Own Downfall
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Milo Yiannopoulos' Misuse Of Free Speech Caused His Own Downfall

Pedophilia is a line that should never be crossed.

13
Milo Yiannopoulos' Misuse Of Free Speech Caused His Own Downfall
Financial Times

The name Milo Yiannopoulos may have been appearing on your screen recently in the past couple months. Yiannopoulos—to put it in a simple way—is a gay-British provocateur, self-proclaimed troll and journalist who, in a paradoxical way, happened to be the senior editor of a far-right-conservative publication, Breitbart News.

Confused? It gets worst. Yiannopoulos' reporting and TV appearances have infuriated many, including journalists, for attacking and criticizing feminism, homosexuality, Muslims, anti-semitism, Black Lives Matter, immigration, defending the Alt-right group, Donald Trump and—the most recent one—pedophilia. All in the name of free speech.

But things changed recently. He resigned from his position as senior editor of Breitbart News, lost a juicy-book contract, got disinvited to participate as a speaker on the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), and was forced to publicly apologize right after a video of him justifying pedophilia started circulating on the internet.

“You’re misunderstanding what pedophilia means,” he told the hosts of a podcast a year ago. “Pedophilia is not a sexual attraction to somebody 13 years old who is sexually mature. Pedophilia is attraction to children who have not reached puberty.”

Now to be fair, he never said he agreed or seemed to favor pedophilia. One of the hosts, Joe Rogan, started cornering Yiannopoulos into talking about his early sexual life.

"Did [Father Michael] make you suck his dick?" Rogan asked.

"He didn't make me," Yiannopolous replied.

"How old were you at the time?" Rogan asked.

"Quite young," Yiannopoulos replied, and that is how it all started.

Yiannopoulos told the Rogan that he sought the company of mature men when he was a teen.

"When I was 14, I was the predator," Yiannopoulos said.


The problem here is that Yiannopoulos always chose the most polemical topics to comment on. He would always attempt to say things that would spark a scandalous debate, but that is how he built his career; out of offenses and insults to others.

Yiannopoulos would always justify his doing by using freedom of speech as his shield—as if just because one has the freedom to say whatever the heck one wants, there are no preconceptions to deal with later. Clearly not. Yiannopoulos just taught us that there are lines that others would not allow you to cross; not even the Alt-right's favorite publication.

And this idea that one can call people out "for what they are" or say things "as they are," based on one's views, is a rhetoric some have built their careers on. Just take Ann Coulter and Tomi Lahren.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

935005
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

111659
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

62981
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments