If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
October 2, 2015 11:44am CST
That was said by Noam Chomsky in 1992, and it is often quoted in defence of free speech and as a rallying call against censorship.
However, sometimes you will read and hear things that are a real challenge to that sentiment. We all know about racist and sexist writings and remarks, not to mention incitements to violence - should these be censored, or can Chomsky's words always be taken at face value?
And how do you feel if and when your own words are censored on a website discussion group, simply because someone else does not agree with you? I get that regularly from someone (not here I hasten to add) who will never allow me to reply to her posts, even to ask for clarification or express agreement with part of what she's said. I find that not only frustrating but deeply sad.
9 people like this
10 responses
@bookbar (1609)
• Sudbury, England
3 Oct 15
I think people who don't allow others to disagree, are not confident enough of their views standing up to scrutiny of any kind to enter into discussion...the way to always be right, is to blank those, who dare to intimate, You are wrong!
1 person likes this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
3 Oct 15
That is a very good point, and one that has often struck me before. This sort of person reminds of the small boy who knocks on a door and then runs off before the owner can catch them. If you are going to make a strong statement you must be willing to justify it as opposed to hiding behind the dustbin!
@joylol (148)
• Austin, Texas
3 Oct 15
I agree with Chomsky's point. Its boring just hearing about what we want and think 24/7. Talking to yourself gets rather lonely.Only when an opposing view comes up do we know what we really consider important qualities to think about or be in a person. You attract what you expect, am I right? Disagreements are just interesting forms of a different source of uniqueness and a great upbringing of our own perspective on justice and fairness.
Though, it does get annoying when you have a comment to make and someone blocks it, at least that encourages us to look for alternative methods of speech and find our own creative preferences to topics. Going against the discovery of expected brings a well of newness and those wells gotta bust out into freedom of speech for all of our self- worth! ^_^
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
3 Oct 15
There is always someone that will not allow anyone to disagree with them.
Sad you have to deal with that.
I am happy to move on from situations.
So I am going to get away from them haha
@Lushlala (4028)
• Gaborone, Botswana
2 Oct 15
I have to say that the man has a valid point here, in as much as i don't like it. How I personally get around this, is just make it known that we all have the right to our opinions and freedom of expression, and it's totally ok to agree to disagree. We're all adults and we should be able to remain civil in spite of this, but sadly, some people think theirs is the only view that is right or that counts. This is a very good question!
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
7 Oct 15
How do I feel my own words are censored on a website discussion group?
I don't really care. I talk to my husband and my kids and they disregard me too! I don't mind because, if deemed necessary, I'm pretty good at hitting that IGNORE BUTTON in my brain too! 
It's called "selective-censoring" and we all do it!
It's called "selective-censoring" and we all do it!
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 Oct 15
Freedom of expression is empty. Every moron has the right to free speech, but that does not mean anyone else is going to listen. In fact, in the world today, the masses can make a lot of noise about inequality, high cost of living etc, but who is going to listen?
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
3 Oct 15
While we may not agree with someone's opinion, they have a right to express it.
@Kchitij2007 (445)
• Pune, India
3 Oct 15
" It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it " - Aristotle.
Censorship can be of two types and both are necessary- State imposed and Self imposed.
State imposed is to stop some violent elements from inciting the weak and the lost into a raging mob, hence necessary.
Self imposed is to stop yourself from offending a person since there are certain issues which are very personal and it is thus the speaker's responsibility to account for the person's feelings before touching on that subject, hence crucial!
What Aristotle said is what we should all aim for. Cultivate an educated mind. A world where everyone has one, there would be no place for censorship. Till then, we need censorship and it isn't in opposition to freedom of speech, only to freedom to offend!
