Journalism 2 Class luis jennifer mason robert forrest casey caitlin sarah mason lia alexandra luis natalie

Monday, February 8, 2010

Apathy

by: Casey

We need to speak up! Stand up for what we believe in! Speak out against them!

I’ve been urged to do all of the following since I can remember. History curriculum urges the young, budding American to exercise their guaranteed right of expression. I am given examples of forefathers who deliberately wrote this freedom into the cement of this country’s foundation.

The government cannot condemn me for what I choose to say. This is great.

But when it comes to other citizens…well…

When I refuse to unite behind a war I deem unjust, I am accused of being unpatriotic.

When I ask why incarceration rates amongst black males are much higher than any other race, I am diagnosed with white guilt.

When I support universal health care, I am a socialist.

When I affirm my religious beliefs, I am a misguided fundamentalist.

You get the picture.

I ask: what good is freedom of speech when citizens are frothing at the mouth to condemn?

No comments:

Post a Comment