Free speech is really important. As a student of talmud, where all but the craziest ideas are entertained (I take that back - even the craziest), I cant possibly not be for it. However, it is important to differentiate between the means and the end. Some people think free speech is so important that becomes the end - a goal unto itself. I, however, dont believe it is or that it should be. Free speech is a tool. It is a tool that allows us to expand our minds, and to be exposed to opinions and ideas that we were blind to until that moment. Free speech is not meant to only be tolerated - it is meant to breed tolerance. And so, when I look at this conflict, and see how free speech is used, I feel obligated to make the following comments: (1) Violence is not a form of free speech. Please note: I am not saying it is evil free speech. Im saying its not free speech at all. It is not a valid form of communication. The validity of Israels actions in Gaza is only - only! - due to those actions being defensive and preemptive. I have seen people say that Hamass narrative can be understood - after all, theyre angry at us. Well, Im sorry (not really), but thats inexcusable. Lobbing rockets at us is not a valid or legitimate way to show how you feel. You want to vent? Find a different way. (2) Generalizations are bad for free speech. They dont breed tolerance, and dont open us up. They close us up. So if there are Jews out there who think all palestinians are evil - they are not helping, not me and not themselves. And if there are right-wingers out there who think all leftists are traitors to this country - they are breeding hate, and not truth. You have a problem with an individual - say it that way. Dont speak of what you do not know. (3) Stop threatening. Were going to break their bones, Lets kill them all, Those traitors deserve to be hung, etc. No one wants to hear your threats. Theyre pointless, cause needless controversy, and hurt your own soul in the process. Speak calmly. Be forceful if you need to - but think before you speak or write something. My experience of the past few weeks has been that any post that Ive written condemning hatred and evil on the other side has not risen beyond the 20-like boundary, give or take. Posts, however, which dealt with love and peace and personal relationships have reached triple digits most times. What does this mean to me? People want to be uplifted. They want to be inspired. They want to see the goodness around them, and to be comforted by it. We need to condemn evil - but it cannot be the core of our activity. We can be other peoples angels. So what are you going to use your free speech for?
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 07:20:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015