CRITICAL THINKING CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT FREE SPEECH

CRITICAL THINKING CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT FREE SPEECH

By Domenick J. Maglio PhD. Traditional Realist

 

Once a nation limits free speech it changes the language narrowing the thinking process of the citizens. Eliminating particular words or phrases changes the ability to think about what is taking place or how to describe it. This altering of our language was accelerated with the introduction of political correctness. This form of censorship has mushroomed into new terms that limit free speech that our nation used to pride itself on.

 

Government elites are enlarging the definition of hate speech to shut down free speech. Besides political correctness they have added “you triggered me”, “safe spaces” to compose oneself, systematic racism, ethnic hatred and social media redefining anything they want to claim as hate speech. Hate speech has grown so much that current honest speech has almost become a dangerous relic of the past while oppressed groups possess the right to say anything they want. 

 

A person can say “black lives matter” but not “all lives matter.” One can say, “white supremacy” but not “black supremacy,” can say “white racism but not “black racism”, can say, “Build Back Better” but cannot say “Make America Great Again,” can say “women power” but not “men power” or LGBTQ+ but not traditional marriage. We cannot say “riots” but can say “mostly peaceful demonstrations.” We cannot say “Antifa” since “it is only an idea.” In this new subculture Lego must stop marketing policemen toy sets and police dogs must be removed from children’s cartoons.

 

The methods of changing thinking of citizens continues to grow. Social media’s direct censorship by determining what is disinformation, misinformation or hate speech is more forcefully ending our first amendment rights. Jack Dorsey of Twitter infamy is using his dubious right to ban individuals from continuing their presence on his platform. There are no specific guidelines or standards to determine what is or is not acceptable to say. The decision by Twitter to cancel someone is capricious, arbitrary and un-American. It is not just Twitter all the social media platforms are colluding to limit what can be said.

 

There is a simple reason for Twitter or any other social media platform not to have rules for what constitutes appropriate speech. In our Constitutional Republic, all speech is allowed to be spoken except yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater. It is the responsibility of the citizens, not a censorship board, to educate themselves and determine what is true and what is false. This is the reason why free speech became our first amendment.

 

Our founding fathers wanted to prevent anyone from dictating from the top down to the people, rather We the People direct the government. Citizens were granted the liberty to direct the government to follow their will. These wise men were aware that only through widespread self-education and open debate would the citizens arrive at truth and enlightenment to guide our republic.

 

This philosophy of freedom of debate was on display throughout the colonies. It was not only found in refined cultural arenas. Many of the discussions and decisions happened on the corners of the town, in clubs, churches, town halls and even in saloons where disagreements sometimes led to brawls with plenty of disagreeable “free speech.” They all had the same rights to share their ideas, viewpoints and thinking to back up their arguments. 

 

Disgustingly hearing only one side of an issue, which is too often the case in our government schools, is indoctrination. Schools from kindergarten through graduate school are often censoring and even punishing students for possessing different viewpoints. The is the epitome of propaganda. 

 

Without accurate information, facts and the personal strength to accept different points of view, a person cannot develop the ability to critically think. Many universities have banned conservative ideas and speakers. Some of these presenters have been physically attacked.  Not only have these schools of “higher education” censored rightist thought but have done everything in their power to make students “too fragile and sensitive” to be able to deal with any opposing viewpoint.

 

Without free speech and critical thinking being encouraged in our various forms of media and our schools from first grade through graduate school we are creating citizens who can easily be victimized by propaganda. Many media commentators are calling for de-programming and increased domestic spying on our people to obtain thought control, which is the antithesis of free speech. This anti-free-speech attack is not only affecting the individual’s critical thinking but is leading us down the Orwellian totalitarian path. 

 

This must be stopped. The U.S, is the epitome of freedom in the world. If we surrender our Bill of Rights, the whole world will feel the loss of the hope of freedom.

 

 

Domenick Maglio, PhD. is a columnist carried by various newspapers, an author of several books and owner/director of Wider Horizons School, a college prep program. Dr. Maglio is an author of weekly newspaper articles, INVASION WITHIN  and a recent book entitled, IN CHARGE PARENTING In a PC World. You can see many of Dr. Maglio’s articles at www.drmaglioblogspot.com.