Freedom of Speech

A local newspaper ran an essay contest in which the premise of the discussion was does freedom of expression contribute to religious and cultural insensitivity? It is obvious, that the question is being asked in light of the riots in Europe, perpetrated by Muslims in response to disparaging cartoons of Islam’s founder, Mohammed. On the surface, the answer seems to be, if freedom of expression contributes to cultural desensitization, then the obvious solution is, criminalize any and all comments that portray any group in a negative way. This will avoid misunderstandings between cultures. No one’s feelings will be upset and we can all live happily ever after.

One of the cherished cornerstones of Western Democratic Society is the right to freely express ones thoughts and opinions. The free and open exchange of ideas is one of the healthiest safeguards to ensure individual and national liberty. Debate, whether it takes place in the arena of politics, in the lecture halls of our universities or in the daily pages of our print media grants all sides the dignity and the opportunity to educate and persuade. It also grants all sides the ability to evaluate and critique views with which they may disagree. The public can then accept, reject or modify any previously held convictions.

The 1930’s marked one of coldest decades of world history. Adolph Hitler rose to power by circumventing the governing principles of the Weimar Republic forming an illegal government. The first order of business for the fledgling Nazi regime was to dispense with political and media opposition. To voice dissent with Hitler was to court the death sentence. The second order of business was to formulate a national scapegoat that would unify Germans against an internal national threat. The Jews became this scapegoat. A masterful propaganda campaign was launched, utterly controlled by the Nazis that blamed Jewish people for every conceivable national ill. This campaign resulted in what has been infamously called “The Final Solution”. Six million innocent people were needlessly slaughtered at the command of a madman. Where was freedom of expression during the Nazi era? Why was this plan not presented to the German people on a national referendum? Why did newspapers not print cartooned editorials decrying the evils of Adolph Hitler? The answer is simply, freedom of expression is the enemy and the antidote to all tyrants.

One need only look at any totalitarian regime and examine their policy concerning freedom of expression. The former Soviet Union controlled all news through the nation’s sole newspaper, Pravda. Saddam Hussein did the same thing with Iraq’s sole television news provider, Al Jazeera. Communist China, North Korea, Cuba are further examples of governments that control and restrict access to information. Not only do they control access to information they actively prosecute any rational voice of dissent within their borders.

The contest also asked the question, if freedom of expression contributes to cultural desensitization, then what should be done about this? Absolutely nothing! There will always be a very minor segment of our population that will get some perverse pleasure in disparaging the beliefs of other cultures. I thank them for their honesty and have only to say that the freedom that allows them to offend others is the same freedom that allows me to openly challenge their idiotic and sophomoric behavior. I know now who these people are and can intentionally avoid ever having to do business with them if I so choose. This is a very small price to pay when one considers the alternatives.

There is also another aspect to this issue that needs to be addressed. The Muslims were outraged at these depictions. One can fully understand why they would be upset. Their reaction is interesting to note. Rather than engage in the market place of ideas to debate and decry this insult, many chose instead to destroy life and property all over Europe, demanding that the Danish government publicly apologize and force the offending newspaper to retract its editorial cartoons. In Islamic nations, the editors and staff of this newspaper would have been executed for blasphemy against Allah.

I am in no way endorsing these cartoons. They are in bad taste and seek to ridicule another religion. However, I would also say, that if there is insensitivity being demonstrated in this age of free expression, then the Muslims in many parts of the world are guilty of this very charge themselves. They have chosen to live in countries that cherish this ideal. Their demand that governments force reporters and media to control what is said about Islam is nothing short of an assault on the very principle of free speech. Dare I say it, but this demonstrates reverse cultural insensitivity.

In the words of a wise old sage, “ I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.”