The Credibility and Consequences of Freedom of Speech

Now that the NFL “taking a knee” hubbub is mostly out of the limelight and there are the usual other non-issues that continue to consume the media, I will share my thoughts as they have percolated over the ensuing months.

There are several things here that can be dissected, but I will take on the issue of free speech and the principle of its wise exercise.

In governments such as ours, where power is supposed to be seated with the citizens, freedom of speech empowers the people over the government.  The freedom of speech (or any freedom, for that matter) is threatening to those who hold power, and most threatening to those who have it by a thread. This requires that it be exercised with responsibility, otherwise its limitation may be imposed. It can also be threatened by radical vocal opposition.  But everyone I know, agrees it is appropriate that speech not be protected in every circumstance.  Free speech should be challenged however, when unwisely used and certainly limited when recklessly exercised.  No reasonable person in our nation will try to throttle the exercise of free speech when wisely exercised.

While each American may have opinions about issues of significance, it is those individuals with the most influence that are heard.  That influence may come from celebrity, professional accomplishment, humanitarian causes, scholarship, critical thinking, or any other manners of success and achievement. The credibility of one’s message, is also greatly influenced by the content of their character. I applaud those who use the success of their lives as a springboard for influence over causes of significance.

Whether or not it is wisely exercised, has more to do with the platform, the manner and the timing of what is said.

“Free speech doesn’t solve political conflicts. It creates them. Solving them requires more advanced tools like trust, humility, dialogue, listening.”
― Steve Kolowich

“It’s freedom of speech, not freedom from consequences and/or ridicule.”
― A.E. Samaan

Colin Kaepernick was exercising his right to reinforce a message that is a noble and fundamental ideal of our American heritage — the equal treatment of all individuals.   His message was triggered by the unfair and despicable treatment of some African-Americans by some law enforcement.  Racism is inherent to the flawed human condition.  It will always be a part of society because we are flawed and imperfect as humans, but we should always strive for its elimination.  That is what defines an ideal – something always to be pursued, but never attainable.

Unfortunately, Kaepernick made a serious miscalculation. By kneeling for the worthy cause of equality for African-Americans, he sent a larger and seemingly nastier message that was understood as disdain for America. A firestorm of vehement protest ensued because it was seen as an attack on the ideals of America, those who support and believe in those ideals, and those who have fought and died for those ideals.  It was perceived as a slap in the face to those who love and support this country, who nonetheless see it flawed, but want to make it all that it can be.  His message and intent was good, but he used the wrong platform (an NFL football game), in the wrong manner (kneeling) at the wrong time (during the National Anthem).   It was not illegal, it was perceived as inappropriate, and it degraded the credibility of his message.  In the same way, President Trump’s stature and office is degraded by the numerous inappropriate ways he communicates via platform, manner and timing.

To add insult to injury, a successive wave of NFL players also took a knee during subsequent National Anthem protests of President Donald Trump after he recklessly called for their firings when exercising their use of that tactic in demonstrating their right to free speech.  Unfortunately, Colin Kaepernick’s message became politicized and lost its original significance.

“We ain’t what we oughta be. We ain’t what we want to be. We ain’t what we gonna be. But, thank God, we ain’t what we was.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Again, I applaud those that use their influence to further the causes they believe.  But it must applied with good measure and using an appropriate platform, in the appropriate manner and timing.  In the same way, I personally can’t stand watching Hollywood elites using award shows to espouse their social and political opinions ad nauseum.  These are occasions to celebrate their art and craft. I don’t believe Colin Kaepernick’s use of the NFL game and National Anthem was his platform to use.   I don’t believe awards shows are the platform for celebrities to use either.  America is inappropriately held as intellectual hostages when influencers use a platform that they do not own — they do it at our expense.

If an influencer wants to write a book, give a speech, submit op-Ed’s, produce videos, pen magazine articles, post blogs, donate money to causes and give interviews that get out their message, I would encourage and do support them to do so.  Those are some of the platforms to use.  We should use our influence to further our life’s work.

The right to free speech is sacred, but it must be exercised with care and responsibility. It should only be legally restricted when it will do clear and present danger to others such as yelling “fire” in a crowded theater.  When the American flag is trampled and burned, I become sick, but it should not be illegal to do so.

We are free to choose, but not free from the consequences of our choices.

An unwise choice of platform, manner and timing will dull the message and give it less credibility.

“Don’t exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.” 
― Tim Fargo

 “Freedom of speech means setting words free. Imprisoned and freed words are consequential. All words have consequences.” 
― John R. Dallas Jr.