FREEDOM OF SPEECH: FREE OR NOT?

Do we really have a freedom of speech?

Primarily, homes, schools, firms, establishments are all places without a freedom of speech practice. Market places, viewing centers, restaurants- public and private places occupied with influx of persons still have restraints for what should be voiced out or not.

In homes where we have age differences, parent favoritism and child isolation or independence, children are meant to conceal their thoughts and “shut up” in the presence of elders, without having a say to contradict or ascertain a true fact. This unconsciously builds ideologies in the mind of the younger generation, proving that “they’re only to be seen and not heard of” because of their differences in age, size, class, qualification and background.

In an acclaimed ‘classless society’ like ours, the young do not talk, contribute or counter a discussion when the older folks gather; the poor are not to be heard in a gathering of the rich and famous; the unqualified and uneducated are not to speak in an assembly of professionals; a staff isn’t meant to politely correct, make inputs or freely discuss with an employer; neither are citizens in the country granted liberty and freedom to speak freely about the ill-fated state of an economy, utter words concerning a political leader or device means to help change and improve the nation, without these words being termed as “hate speech” or developing a phobia for speaking up and being punished.

Freedom of speech emanates from homes where voices are heard, suggestions are made, truths are tabled, facts are proven and inputs are accepted. Like the saying: “charity begins at home”, freedom of speech also begins at home.

Let’s give people a platform to be heard. Have a voice and be a voice for others.

Together, we can make things better, if only we’ll listen to the voice waiting to be heard.

#WorldSpeechDay #ThePad #PadIt #Wearetheroothub