It began with a shout. Metaphorical or literal, it is truly up to your digression, however, there is no other name for such a sound. A crisp yell, evocative call from the American public that voters, and in turn, the electoral college, were ready for a change.
While individuals across the world, let alone in the United States, argue whether or not this call was truly the answer to the questions American citizens have been asking for decades, there is much to be said about the tune the call is bringing. From swift sighs of relief from those who voted for the newly inaugurated president to the cries of injustice and devastation at the numerous insults brought about by his campaign, each of these combine to create a melody of cultural stirring and clashing sounds of opposed speech.
It is within this cataclysm of opposing speech that a quiet symphony of revolution is born - whether it is song from the feminists marching for recognition that equality is not just binary, but for all those reside on this planet or from the Black Lives Matter movement, pushing individuals within the United States to recognize that there IS a difference between non-racist and anti-racism.
This chapter of our country's life shall be forever marked by this symphony, this push for social equality and necessary recognition of unspoken rules and societal boundaries that have been followed for far too long. The words written during this time will not be of peace but of freedom for the speech you hate: from the discussions of political correctness and denial of global warming to marches for human equality and support for Planned Parenthood.
This seemingly chaotic statement, "freedom for the speech you hate", does not mean that it is a time to remain silent. This statement cues the opportunity to participate in a song much louder than any one voice. It is perhaps the best opportunity to stand and defend what you believe, to call legislators and demand for change, to fully take on the responsibilities of being an American citizen. If you have something that you wish to say, then I urge you to speak it! At the same time, I urge you to allow your neighbor the same courtesy.
Freedom for the speech you hate is what this country was founded on and gives this revolution its foundation. Change can occur, especially in this chapter of social stirring and cultural upheaval. I implore you to take advantage of this opportunity and speak, participate, but must importantly, listen. A symphony is not whole without all the instruments playing.
This chapter, this song of American change will end, and as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. states, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
