The Tension of Free Speech

Do you remember Andrew Sheppard’s line, “America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship…”?

“America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.” - Michael Douglas as President Andrew Sheppard in the American President (1995)

Hate speech is allowed on this platform, Substack. I am still thinking over an article a friend sent to me. Substack won’t ban hate speech from the platform unless it incites violence.

I saw the article title in my inbox and was shocked and horrified at first. But then the libertarian in me said, “Well…”

I love our Bill of Rights. These 10+ statements that ensure our “rights” in this country include Free Speech. Learning about these rights when I was in primary school, secondary school, and later college made my chest swell with pride—a thing our country did right. We glazed over slavery and the racism that led to the Civil Rights Movement, but at least we were founded on the idea that we could say what was on our mind, save, of course, libel and slander.

During those years in school, it was commonly accepted that the hate spewed by the Nazis was wrong. No one argued with that. We would argue about more nuances within racism, but the genocide enacted by Hitler was not up for discussion.

And, now, today, we have holocaust-deniers. I am two generations away from those who fought (my grandparents were in World War II). That means my son is three generations away. Those grandparents all passed away before he was born or when he was very young. He has few memories of them. And he certainly never had a conversation with them about what happened. I had conversations, but not many. My maternal grandfather served as a nurse and encountered the horror of wars in healing. My step-grandfather served in the Pacific on an aircraft carrier. None spoke to me directly about the horrors of war. But they were there, and I talked with them about some of their experiences. And to think there are generations out there now that deny this awful event happened.

Those who refuse to study and understand history are doomed to repeat it.

So, this platform allows hate speech to flourish. And it also allows my speech to flourish, greet you in your inbox, and recommend my speech to others. I can talk about nature-based religion and progressive politics, and I, too, should not be shunned, banned, or shadow-banned (whatever that really is).

So, this platform allows both hate and the words I give you. (I might vent, but I sure don’t want my words to be labeled hate.) I want my words to be here to inspire you. I want my words to be here to get you to think differently. I want us to collectively decide to make our world better with values based on love, grace, and compassion. And I would hate it if Substack restricted my words.

So, let’s read on, my friends. Let’s think critically together.

And remember, paid subscribers get to comment on these articles I send you.

Until another day of writing and changing and inspiring.