Speak Loudly & Carry a Big Stick

How does the saying go? “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
I beg to differ.
Sticks and stones do indeed hurt, but words can kill.
Let me explain.
Since it was such a historic weekend, it is only reasonable that this topic be addressed. I spent my Fourth of July in Walkerville, Michigan at Camp Tall Turf safely shooting fireworks from Lake Campbell for all the 8-13-year-old campers of 2nd Session.
Today, I returned home to watch a few of my DVR’d shows. The first on my list was the HBO Documentary Shouting Fire: Stories From the Edge of Free Speech. It is a must see, but seeing as how It’s Not TV, It’s HBO, I recommend you watch it with your parents.
I only want to say a few things about the Free Speech because I have already talked enough about it (until the next incident) here and here.
Here is the foundation I am working from:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

First Amendment

United States Constitution

This sentence is the reason why I can blog my thoughts and opinions without fear of imprisonment (like in China or Egypt), the reason most people outside of the United States believe America is such a wonderful place and cannot be withdrawn, vetoed or rescinded out. Except however, during times of war.

“Necessity is the excuse for every infringement on human freedom…”

William Pitt

United Kingdom 1804-1806

The rest of that quote is, “it is the argument of the tyrant and the creed of the slave.” We have seen Sir Pitt’s quote used in 21st Century America after 9/11. Ward Churchill was striped of his duties at University of Colorado Boulder

“If there was a better, more effective, or in fact any other way of visiting some penalty befitting their participation upon the little Eichmanns inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the twin towers, I’d really be interested in hearing about it”

Ward Churchill, former Ethnic Studies professor

University of Colorado Boulder

Under the First Amendment, is he not entitled to his opinion no matter how many people were outraged by his insensitivity?
Whether people really and truly have something profound to say or want to make a name for themselves by saying anything to be heard no matter how reckless, I will support the First Amendment wholeheartedly. If we all acted as individual psychiatrists who engaged in dialogue to talk out our thoughts and opinions in constructive ways, then we would be able to move forward as a collective whole. But by promoting the idea of “Political Correctness,” you are infringing on the right of free speech. We are left with a society where hatred is closeted and people talk around how they really feel scared that they might hurt someone’s feelings.
One thing I learned from this HBO Documentary is that if you cannot be on the fence when it comes to free speech. Either you take the position of unequivocally agreeing with free speech at all times, in all situations or you think Free Speech utterly bad. Then there has been some debate on when is Free Speech taken so far that it is considered Hate Speech. Personally, I think Hate Speech is the escalation of words followed by action.
Simply put, it can all be summed up in Martin Garbus’ – a First Amendment Attorney – statement: “If you're going to defend free speech, you have to defend the speech of people who you hate…” I will even add: “you have to also defend the speech those who use their speech to venomously describe their hatred for you.”
Words may indeed kill, however, if/when we are forced to put our eyeballs in our mouth and watch our tongues, the resulting outpour of suppressed opinions, feelings, thoughts, etc. is far more dangerous.