When Freedom of Speech is Unkind

I wrote a blog and did not post it.  This is the second time I have done so.  The first time was because I wanted to protect some people who were the subject of my blog.  This time is because I am still not sure if I have freedom of speech.

Of course, I have freedom of speech.  The United States Constitution says so.  For the last number of years I have been very careful about what I say because I get attacked online.  Or, I have made a statement about a political candidate that wasn’t even a political endorsement and I was bombarded with hateful things said about this person.  I let it stay on the thread, as absurd as I felt the statement was, because I didn’t want to take away their freedom of speech.

I learned in the last four years that freedom of speech was only free if I fit someone else’s agenda.  Here’s one example:

On Facebook I posted about J.D. Vance when he was selected as the vice presidential nominee.  It wasn’t about his politics.  It was about him.  His book, “Hillbilly Elegy” was a best seller and a movie of his story was made starring Glenn Close who played J.D.’s grandmother.  My comment was, “Whoever said one cannot get anywhere in this country has never heard of JD Vance. He was just selected as Trump’s vice-presidential choice. If you have not read the book or seen the movie “Hillbilly Elegy,” you need to do so. It is his story. He was raised in extreme poverty. Congratulations, JD Vance!”

I was just amazed at how far this young man got coming from the background he didn’t ask for but excelled from.  Instead of celebrating our great opportunities we have in the United States of America, the first comment I got was, “He is an extreme right wing religious Fascist!”  The second comment I got was, “They all are extreme now. All the decent R’s have left the party.”

All I can say to that is Wow!  Really?  I let it be.  I didn’t reply, and I also didn’t hit the like button.  First of all, J.D. Vance is Roman Catholic.  Although I am not Roman Catholic, I have never in my wildest imagination thought of that faith as extreme right wing.  And Fascist?  Where was any proof of that?  Just nasty name-calling.  

The second comment was definitely disproved by the voter turnout.  Who is “they” anyway?  I think the writer was referring to Republicans, and probably all conservatives.  Extreme?  Really.  The decent ones left the party?  Umm, I think by the vote of this election, it was the other party that left. 

Why do people think they are being helpful with these unkind comments?  

I am a registered Independent.  I want to look at all sides, but I must confess that I lean conservative.  I remember when Tulsi Gabbard was in the democratic primary, I even commented that I could possibly vote for her.  Of course, what did she do?  She left the D party for the R party—the opposite of what my friend posted on Facebook.

One other thing—the term religious fanatic.  What does that even mean?  I am a Christ follower.  I believe in the word of God, the Bible.  In the end, God wins!  I would rather follow his rules that some manmade rule because it feels good to me.  

The second post I made was made during the Olympics.  I have been following the transgender issue.  I am horrified at the sexualizing of children.  Children don’t belong to the government, even when they are in school.  What right does the schools have to teach my child about gender that for me is in opposition to God’s word?  What makes one think a child can pick his/her gender when they aren’t mature enough to handle any adult responsibilities.  Stop sexualizing our children and mutilating their bodies.  One day I truly believe that society will see transgender surgery in the same way we today see lobotomies.  We thought it was good science and it was NOT!

I was attacked on Facebook when I said, and I quote: “If you have male DNA, do NOT compete in sports as a woman.  It’s unfair and unsafe to women athletes who have female DNA.”  I did not say, you couldn’t have this surgery or transition—you are an adult, and although I think it is the wrong thing to do, it is your choice.  I just think you have to stay away from competing unfairly.  Male DNA on the whole makes a person much stronger than female DNA.  That’s all.  

People thought my post and comments from others were hateful.  What’s hateful about saying one has an unfair advantage when competing in sports?  Having an opinion different than others is not hateful.  It is hateful if I say they should not exist or if I want harm done to them.  I do not.  

I get it—they also have freedom of speech.  My problem is that those who don’t like what I say try to shame those of us with different beliefs than them.  Why can’t they just scroll past like I do when I see something in which I don’t agree.

I’m actually happy with the election results.  I feel like I may have my freedoms back again, but I am still uneasy about sharing my thoughts.  Cancel culture did a great job of shutting down honest discussion.  I guess I have cancel culture PTSD.  I’m still afraid to even kindly say what I believe.  How crazy is that?  That feels like I live in a communist country, not the free speech U.S.A.

It’s time we start a dialog. It’s time we be nice to each other and realize we don’t have to think alike. We are not enemies–we are Americans! Maybe my other blog will be posted one day where I explain my believes on these political issues, and why I believe them.  For now, I am not ready.