“For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation afraid of its people.”
-John F. Kennedy
#freespeechmatters 06.07.2021
Despite being the very first amendment to the Constitution, freedom of speech is a concept that’s not being grasped very well by Americans. There are a number of reasons why the principles of free speech aren’t being taught in public settings the way that they should be. Public education institutions have shifted their goals from teaching people how to think to teaching people what to think.
The individual benefits the most from free speech present in society. Freedom of speech can serve as a threat to any agenda-driven organization. Whether it be corporations or major political parties, the truth does not always paint these groups in the best light. When the truth is a threat to your bottom line, you find a way to oppress the truth.
It should come as no surprise that public universities aren’t wasting too much time educating their consumers on the importance of free speech. Freedom of speech is hardly a popular concept. Leaders from both major political parties have opposed free speech over the course of the past year in one way or another. Depending on what side of the aisle you’ve conveniently placed yourself, you may have either celebrated an American’s removal from social media or demanded that an Olympic athlete be removed from her position for turning her back on the National Anthem.
There aren’t too many people left who appreciate free speech in its absolute form. Colleges and universities are businesses. They compete for new students every year as a way to generate revenue. They would certainly pay more mind to the free speech principles if the market was more interested.
Freedom of speech is a dying brand. Freedom is being erased and replaced with pseudo government security. Colleges and universities are more profitable if they market themselves as safe places rather than educational environments welcoming to the market place of ideas. This push to make the world a safer place is crippling the next generation. We’re not actively making the world a better place, nor is pseudo government security synonymous with safety.
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