2008 Woodie Awards
The Freedom of Speech
Ward Churchill exercised his basic rights at a Difficult Dialogues presentation on genocide
Ursula Waack
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Commentary
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Along with many others, I attended the talk given by Ward Churchill on Wednesday, March 28. I was prepared to listen to a talk that was both enlightening and controversial. However, I did not learn anything new at the speech. I still do not know what to think about the issue of genocide in the United States. I have yet to hear a speaker that could convince me one way or the other and I have yet to hear any unbiased sources about the topic. Despite all the hype raised about what he may or may not say about the United States, the comment I was most struck by was, in the grand scheme of things, rather mundane. Churchill made the point that if you have to pay a price, any price, for something then it is not free and that also applies to speech. That started me thinking about freedom of speech.
From a young age, I was taught my basic rights not only as a United States citizen but as a human being. Freedom of speech is one of those basic rights. Freedom of speech is defined as the right to voice your opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. Along with learning my rights, I was also told the price people have to pay to guarantee such basic rights. All throughout history, people have fought, sometimes winning and sometimes losing, for the right to speak out in public. I am sure that I and any other student could come up with several examples to help demonstrate this point. In other words, somebody had to pay a price for us to speak.
Knowing that this basic human right did not come free is actually a very good thing. People, generally, will not waste something that had to be paid for. Churchill used his right in his talk. It is wonderful that Southwest Minnesota State University strives to promote speakers that do this. I may not agree with the theme of his talk or his conclusions, but I do agree with his right to say it.
Many have heard the saying "with great power comes great responsibility." Using your right to speak is very powerful. If you have any doubt about this, think of how much rumor and talk occurred before Churchill came to speak. You can affect change with just your words; however, you must take responsibility for what you say. This is where I disagree with Churchill's point of view. I cannot say whatever I want and expect to get away with it. Laws have even been made, both nationally and internationally, supporting this. For example, a government cannot release propaganda to its people and I am not allowed to run into a crowed theater and yell fire. I could, or the government could, but consequences would follow.
This is the same with every right. We have the right to use it, but we must also be aware of our responsibility. I, along with my fellow journalists, am guaranteed the freedom of the press but we are not allowed to abuse this right. Journalists are always trying to find unbiased sources and publish the facts about what happened. If they do not, consequences follow.
Whether or not you agreed with Churchill, be proud of the fact that we go attend an institution that values our right to speak our opinion. But, unlike Churchill, do not think that such speech comes without a cost because it has and it might. Instead, think of it as our right and privilege.
From a young age, I was taught my basic rights not only as a United States citizen but as a human being. Freedom of speech is one of those basic rights. Freedom of speech is defined as the right to voice your opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. Along with learning my rights, I was also told the price people have to pay to guarantee such basic rights. All throughout history, people have fought, sometimes winning and sometimes losing, for the right to speak out in public. I am sure that I and any other student could come up with several examples to help demonstrate this point. In other words, somebody had to pay a price for us to speak.
Knowing that this basic human right did not come free is actually a very good thing. People, generally, will not waste something that had to be paid for. Churchill used his right in his talk. It is wonderful that Southwest Minnesota State University strives to promote speakers that do this. I may not agree with the theme of his talk or his conclusions, but I do agree with his right to say it.
Many have heard the saying "with great power comes great responsibility." Using your right to speak is very powerful. If you have any doubt about this, think of how much rumor and talk occurred before Churchill came to speak. You can affect change with just your words; however, you must take responsibility for what you say. This is where I disagree with Churchill's point of view. I cannot say whatever I want and expect to get away with it. Laws have even been made, both nationally and internationally, supporting this. For example, a government cannot release propaganda to its people and I am not allowed to run into a crowed theater and yell fire. I could, or the government could, but consequences would follow.
This is the same with every right. We have the right to use it, but we must also be aware of our responsibility. I, along with my fellow journalists, am guaranteed the freedom of the press but we are not allowed to abuse this right. Journalists are always trying to find unbiased sources and publish the facts about what happened. If they do not, consequences follow.
Whether or not you agreed with Churchill, be proud of the fact that we go attend an institution that values our right to speak our opinion. But, unlike Churchill, do not think that such speech comes without a cost because it has and it might. Instead, think of it as our right and privilege.
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