Speak Up, Free Speech Is Important!
The value of Free Speech and of speaking up when others cannot or choose not to is one of the hallmarks of a free society. The following quote is by Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) a German Lutheran pastor as well as a theologian. He lived during the rule of Nazi Germany and was initially a supporter of Hitler. But his sympathy towards Hitler diminished as the Nazis started to interfere with the church, he also founded the Confessing Church, a Christian resistance movement. He was arrested because of this movement and because of his many outspoken sermons.
Indeed Martin Niemöller had initially been a German Nationalist who supported the oppression of the Jews because he believed that the Jews brought it upon themselves when they chose to crucify Jesus Christ. It is in fact the truth of human nature, that we cannot empathize without truly experiencing the depths of Hell that our fellow human beings experience here on this earth.
The following quote by Martin Niemöller is his most famous quote, yet it is sometimes challenged as to the true order and content of the quote. The following version seems to be one acceptable version.
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.Then they came for the Social Democrats,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Social Democrat.Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew,Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
Thus, as I have always said, and I ask once again, when is the tipping point for all of us? When do we say that enough is enough, and the time is now?
Is it when our own civil liberties are taken away? When we ourselves become the missing? Or become the victim of Extra-judicial killings?
This is not about our politics. This is about doing what is right, doing what is just, and standing up for the rights of all people, not just the ones we agree with. The time to speak up is now, lest we find ourselves all alone.
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Free speech is all well and good but I think free speech without contraints is not free speech at all. But I agree sometimes the those in power use the idea that those who question are not nationalistic or something and therefore don’t have the good and welfare of the nation at heart. I disagree with that, it is those who question and ask and speak out that are the true patriots of our country.
There is free speech, but let’s not forget that prudence and wisdom also exist.
A balanced, wisdom filled free speech i am all for it.
I think free speech is way overrated. What about Unity? What about common thought in moving forward? I hate that we keep talking about free speech, but what about what President Arroyo keeps saying about unity.
We have too many people trying to use free speech as an excuse to keep yelling at the government.
What makes our Charter of Rights and Freedoms Unique among the matured democracies, is the Very First Section which states:
Section 1 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
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That our Rights and Freedoms, each one of them as spelled out in the Charter are subject to Limitations, justifiable limits as maybe defined thru the decisions of proper courts. That is what we call responsible exercise of Rights that make us perhaps in the forefront of Human Rights as we already recognized the Equality of All without regards of race, sex, age, colour, sexual orientations and the most all Mental and Physical Disabilities…
That we even refrained or never make a joke about the other’s mental or physical disabilities that last time a Priest in a Philippine Daily use it a subject of his light hearted joke, I took him to task and He apololgized for His insensivities and so was Ms Sonia Roco during her campaign alluding to the opposition mentioning the mentally disabled. That sometimes Speech Freedoms is better use with utmost care and not be abused…
Vic is right. when can you say that free speech has overstepped its boundaries. There must be social responsibility in accordance to free speech right? Then if a sense of responsibility is not there, then is it still free speech?
I think some of you may have missed the essence of Nicks’ entry. Its all about the apathy that pervades in our country. We speak not only for ourselves but fot the rest of the nation. Its all about concern for everyone. Nick was clearly pointing out that we should be concerned by the culture of impunity. We cannot and should not wait for the time when we or our loved ones fall prey to extra-judicial practices.
our freedom ends when when it starts to interfere other’s freedom, sabi nila, right? I got criticisms from my house mates about my blogging, and yet, i have still the freedom, “paki-alam nila”
I think free speech is essential to create the true voice of society. Without it, bias will be inevitable. It does not really mean being drones to a particular cause. It has to have compromise, that’s what democracy is trying to do; it may not be perfect, but at least it’s getting us there.
Free speech is responsible speech by nature, if not, then it’s selfish, binding, and interfering…anything BUT free.
@tenchiwei, that is one of the best interpretations of Free Speech I’ve heard in a long time. Very well said and concise. I believe this is your first time here, I hope you and BrVince come by more often..
@Schumey, once again, your focus in actually reading the article, unlike those others who have already formulated their opinions without reading a single word, is why I always value your comments here. Indeed, I think our readers will do well to read one of my favorite articles from your blog, “Apathy Breeds Impunity” so as to further this discussion on free speech to another level.. Again, thank you.
hey guys, we r born to speak, arent we? if were gonna shut up n let other pipol do wat dey want w/o hearing wat “d voice of all” is saying, den wat is it for?? i mean in order to accomplish a better place to live in, d unity of all s neded,n obviously we all know dat, but nowadays, pipol r afraid to speak out deir ideas or speaking out d truth 4 it myt put deir life at risk..sad… so wen wud we gather enough might to overcome this fear we have so dat we cud start speaking in a free way??? when???