Ye hearties, all ye scurvy dogs must be aflame with passion fer the glorious treasure o' free speech!
2023-12-29
Avast ye! The tussle fer free speech be no longer restricted to them college grounds, but hath spread to all o' society. Many scurvy dogs in power be misusin' this here privilege. That be why 'tis now more vital than ever to defend 't!
In this light-hearted and humorous piece, the author emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech, which they affectionately refer to as "the eternally radical idea." They highlight how throughout history, this idea has faced opposition from partisans and authoritarians, despite its proven ability to promote innovation, human flourishing, prosperity, and progress.The author points out that free speech has historically been despised by those in power, with dissenters often being punished through various means such as ostracization, banishment, arrest, torture, and even execution. They argue that the forces of conformity and authority will always oppose freedom of speech because humans are natural-born censors who find it tempting to punish and silence views they disagree with.
The author introduces their organization, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which has been defending the free speech rights of all Americans for 25 years. They explain that FIRE fights against restrictions on free expression, academic freedom, and speech codes on college campuses. They provide examples of their cases, including defending a student employee who was punished for reading a book critical of the Ku Klux Klan and supporting Erika and Nicholas Christakis at Yale when they faced calls for resignation over a Halloween costume debate.
The author argues that defending free speech has become more challenging as campuses come up with new justifications for curtailing speech, such as regulating "hate speech" to protect minority groups. However, they assert that such regulations do not achieve their intended goals and, instead, are used to censor various forms of speech.
FIRE has expanded its mission to defend free expression and fight against censorship beyond college campuses. They have defended individuals, blown the whistle on policy changes that restrict speech, and called out acts of censorship in various contexts.
The author warns that without freedom of speech, America as we know it will cease to exist. They emphasize the importance of protecting this essential principle and building a movement to support it. They invite readers to join their cause, become card-carrying members, and participate in calls to action that aim to combat cancel culture and defend free speech.