Freedom of speech is a principle that many people believe is inherent in The Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. However, some others will point out that it is not an explicit right, in that the details of the exact nature of how much freedom is actually guaranteed has been adjusted, curtailed, and questioned in numerous ways since the U.S. Constitution, and its first ten amendments were originally ratified. There are few who would argue that shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater should be allowed, and the courts have specifically come out against it.
Online, on the World Wide Web, there is a prevailing notion that as long as one has been given the virtual megaphone, one should use it at any and all moments when one feels wronged, or infringed, in even the slightest of matters. There are countless blogs extolling almost every possible political and religious view under the sun, and some make no qualms about putting forth information that is non-factually, and heavily skewed, biased material, often presented as fact. It sometimes takes a keen eye and acute sensibility to discern between where the line should be drawn in regard to what is truth and what is opinion.
This is nothing new, really, in that talk radio, panel-show television and major newspapers have been celebrating pundits from all particular angles and sects since the various medium first became popular enough for moguls to realize its power. The difference now seems to be the inability for a handful of powerful people to capture all of the strands of the Web, and have them lead back to a single, or few, personal interests. It’s hard to tell who to believe and who is putting forth an agenda.
One way to parse the myriad of information being pushed is to recognize the difference between someone who is telling you what you can or cannot do, and someone who is pointing out the people who are telling you what you can or cannot do. Don’t be fooled by those who wish to cause harm to you, or your rights, on the premise, or under the guise, of doing what they think is best. The excuse that someone might have not been doing the right thing, but that they at least believed they were doing the right thing, doesn’t fly when it winds up harming others.
In regard to direct political activism, it is important to protest when other avenues of recourse have been blocked or impeded unfairly. But watch out for protesting methods that become dangerous or harmful to anyone, particularly innocent bystanders, or even the people who would otherwise support such a movement. Not much can destroy a movement more readily than when it forgets its roots, and ignores the very people for whom it is fighting. By taking action in an improper manner, it is possible to lose any chance of affecting the changes you wish to accomplish. Do not allow leaders of movements to push you, or other followers, into doing things that are illegal or harmful to others, no matter if they agree with your stance or not.
So, no matter what your position, guard your freedom of speech as one of the most precious commodities you possess, and defend it against anyone trying to infringe upon it, from inside or out. Once lost, it is very difficult to get back. The best vocal minority is you, and being an informed and responsible person helps ensure that you can always be the best vocal minority that you can be.