It Seems Free Speech is Only Great When It's Nice
Five years since the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines spoke out to a London audience saying, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." Because of this, they have had to contend with violent threats and harsh labels often coming from many of their former fans.
I believe freedom of speech is one of the most beneficial and the highest of human rights that we have in our society and restricting it can be risky when it is decided what is and isn't considered to be "hate speech". What is offensive or disagreeable by some may not mean the same for others. When a group spreading hatred and prejudice wants to exercise their own right to free speech, many people have a problem with it. Free speech cannot just be for those who you agree with, it has to be for everyone, no matter how they choose to express it. It is unfair to limit a persons right to free speech just because a person or persons disagrees with what another party has to say. This goes for both the Dixie Chicks, P!nk, Kanye West, their previous fans, radio stations and the government. Without free speech, the fight towards achievements such as women and racial rights would remain far from accomplished.
Read what one woman, who is against the Dixie Chicks, thinks:
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-19-2003-37574.asp
I believe freedom of speech is one of the most beneficial and the highest of human rights that we have in our society and restricting it can be risky when it is decided what is and isn't considered to be "hate speech". What is offensive or disagreeable by some may not mean the same for others. When a group spreading hatred and prejudice wants to exercise their own right to free speech, many people have a problem with it. Free speech cannot just be for those who you agree with, it has to be for everyone, no matter how they choose to express it. It is unfair to limit a persons right to free speech just because a person or persons disagrees with what another party has to say. This goes for both the Dixie Chicks, P!nk, Kanye West, their previous fans, radio stations and the government. Without free speech, the fight towards achievements such as women and racial rights would remain far from accomplished.
Read what one woman, who is against the Dixie Chicks, thinks:
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-19-2003-37574.asp
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on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 3:47 PM.
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