We Must All Be Heard

No censorship. No monitoring. Pure truth through our own words.

Speech should always, if at all possible be free. No matter what there is to say, all should be free to say it. Because here’s the truth: with censorship, the minds of youth and of Britain shall be forced into a particular mind set. Censorship is a form of propaganda, a way for the Government to control the way we think; the things we see. It is common knowledge that the media sits on stories and scandals until it is a particular inconvenience for that person – who’s to say that censorship won’t be able to do the same? The point of free speech is for everyone to give their own opinions – whether it be the same or entirely contrasting to yours. Why should we stand by and watch our opinions be pushed down and changed simply for convenience or for those who do not want to listen? This is – unfortunately – a subject I’ve had to deal with for the majority of my young life. Being a woman means that I will always battle for my place. That I will always find the need to express myself, because I won’t always be invited to have the opportunity to do so. Why then must I be repressed? Perhaps it is because of my youth. Being the age that I am – 16 – limits me to only a small audience: those around me. It’s the belief that I’ve ‘barely lived’ and so don’t have enough experience. Yet I do. I’ve seen the way the world works in my past 16 years. Yet – isn’t the most part censored?

I have the belief that through free speech I may spread my word. Some may call topics I talk about controversial – but is that simply because it is not talked about enough? Or is it because we see so many images by the media contorting our way of thinking? Our sense of belief as a nation is lost; we choose to listen to the mass rather than speak out and see a difference. Free speech will forever be a way of changing that. Free speech will mean a better understanding, the chance for people to see the bigger picture, not just the one they are shown.

Personally, I think that monitoring free speech will do nothing. Monitoring it will essentially mean that those things which do not correspond with the image the media want us to see will be censored. How then, is monitoring different to censoring? Through the act of monitoring, pieces are censored – ‘intervening’ doesn’t mean chipping it; it means contorting the truth of what that person is saying. It’s not the same as what they’d hoped they would be able to tell people. It would be different, a kinder approach – one not necessarily intended.

It’s not that I believe that all free speech is good: I would never condone a racist or misogynistic view. Yet, I believe it needs to be heard. Whether you share the same beliefs or not, they should be heard. Because it means that others have a chance to change the world with their free speech. It means that others can contradict those racist and misogynistic views. Those views, however uncomfortable they might be to hear, are someone’s beliefs. We should never repress a person’s beliefs; however I do believe that they may be changed.

The gift of free speech is a terrifying one – I’ll admit. Yet, we must always remember that we need to hear this free speech in order to make our own decisions. No matter how terrible or how bigoted those views may seem, they must be heard in order for us to see that there may need a change. It opens our eyes to further opinions that showcase the change in attitude that’s needed.

I believe there should be Free Speech because everyone deserves their own opinions to be expressed. It may be a time where some notice the need for change. But by censoring or monitoring, the important articles aren’t expressed, and get forgotten amongst the secrets the world harbours. A debate might open your eyes. It gives an opportunity for a belief to be heard; it gives the opportunity for a change of heart. By being repressed by the media, there may never be this such change. It’ll build and people will lose themselves in ideals they think they have; not ideals they truly believe in.

I hope you take my speech into consideration on the behalf of those of us who don’t receive a voice.

#FreeSpeech #WeMustAllBeHeard