Freedom of speech is the bedrock of democracy and a free society, no matter one’s political or religious views. Our Constitution was designed to protect and ensure that voices — especially those of dissent — can be heard. However, the current warmongering and constant chaos distract us from the creeping fascism that wants to silence differing views and we don’t have to go far to find this growing trend.
Hartland Cromaine Library Board exercises veiled censorship by putting books “under review” through the guise of “protecting children.” Shielding children from issues that cause adults discomfort may feel productive but instead creates a false sense of security. Children who learn respectful tolerance are prepared to thrive in a diverse and often challenging world. Banning or “reviewing” books based on personal dislikes corrodes our rights of free expression and sounds a lot like cancel culture to me. This Library Board is laying the groundwork for the death of democracy.
If the line between freedom and censorship is blurred, it becomes dangerously easy for the loudest voices to silence ideas they find disagreeable. Their perspective is usually a very narrow, white, Christian, mostly male-centric view of the world, similar to that of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. With preconceived partiality, that board plans to judge which media outlets are “biased” in reporting county news because they are afraid of scrutiny and want to control public opinion. This abrasive authoritarianism is no different from a rude President insulting a reporter for doing her job, or stifling a comedian, except that it’s in our community.
We must remain committed to hearing opposing views and not bow down to petty and insecure people. Once surrendered, freedom is difficult to regain. Only when we uphold the rights of all citizens, can we protect our democratic values. Denying free expression of anyone ultimately threatens us all. Ask Salman Rushdi.
Evelyn Gallegos
Brighton
