Freedom of speech and expression: Free to be me
by Steph Garland.
Freedom of expression is essentially the freedom to communicate to the world whatever thoughts, feelings, and concerns we have deep down in that special place of ours.
It’s in everything we do – what we say, what we wear, the music we play, how we react to things, everything.
The world is our oyster, and if we don’t like oysters, we have the right to wear a t-shirt jolly well expressing so.
Less Free Than Me?
The thing is, actually we don’t. Not always. As it turns out, some people are more free to express themselves than others.
Censorship is freedom of expression’s tricky little nemesis. It is being selective about the world we are exposed to. Because, let’s face it, the world is full of questionable content that may offend.
So really, isn’t it easier and less traumatic for everyone to repress and censor? Censorship comes in many forms, from your high school censoring potentially offensive clothing by having a uniform policy, to a government controlling the media in order to whitewash their own potentially frowned upon conduct.
In ancient Rome it was considered good conduct for the government to shape its peoples’ character – censorship would have been thought of as not only tolerable, but honourable.
But where was the individual’s freedom to decide what’s right?
Then again, should the radio be able to censor music that’s intended to intimidate and hurt someone because of their sexual orientation, disability, religion or ethnicity without fearing the artist’s it’s-how-I-express-my-feelings backlash?
Last year the David and Goliath brand withdrew a range of clothing from some New Zealand stores, because of complaints about the slogan: “boys are stupid, throw rocks at them”.
The argument was boys were suffering from low self-esteem already, and did not need to be insulted or have rocks thrown at them.
Twenty-five years ago A Clockwork Orange was banned, but put next to some of the action and thriller blockbusters today, it was as meek as a slightly hyperactive kitten. So it’s alright to show violent scenes in a film now, but not insult boys on a t-shirt?
With such variety in moral and ethical standards, where do you draw the line on what’s wrong, and what’s a human right?
This article was written as part of Global Focus a collaborative project of Tearaway Magazine and the Global Education Centre. It was first published in Tearaway magazine and is reprinted here with their permission
Illustrator: Toby Morris
