Uncensored: Why I Won't Bite my Tongue
[Disclaimer: I hate that I have to
say this, but I’d like to make it clear that the following post does not in any
way justify the use of racial slurs, or derogatory terms towards women, LGBQT
persons, individuals with disabilities, any minority group, or any individual.
Period. There is a difference between opinion and derogation and
discrimination.]
As a writer, I'm no stranger to controversy,
anger and confrontation about my opinions. I've been dealing with that for
about as long as I've been able to properly express myself. Growing up, I was
an only child for many years and being the baby of the house, I got away with a
lot, some of which included spouting off my many opinions unabashedly. As I
grew older, I remained opinionated and just as uninhibited about spreading those
opinions. Once I was given the outlet of writing, and a larger audience to
share those opinions with, things really got dicey. In high school, I once
published a poem in the school newspaper about how I felt that black youth
needed to stop blaming society for their own shortcomings. Needless to say,
some of my school mates were none too pleased and saw fit to let me and a few
teachers know about it. I found myself both fiercely defensive and deeply afraid,
and wondered whether I ought to have censored myself. That was my first brush
with the question of censorship and I've been battling that ever since.
Each time I write something
controversial, be it on my blog, a Facebook or Instagram post, or some other
forum, it comes after much debate in my mind about whether I should say
anything at all our remain silent. I've learned to bite my tongue in certain conversations,
face-to-face or otherwise, for fear of offending someone, though I firmly
believe my opinion to be valid. In this world of political correctness where
every word is potentially a bomb with the power to trigger people's anger and
sensitivity, it's an absolute wonder that I even talk at all. At this point, it
isn't even just religion, body type, politics, gender and other buzz topics
that have the potential to land you in trouble, but simple dictionary words
that have been transformed into "bad words" and replaced with nice
sounding euphemisms with precisely the same meanings. People are no longer able
to measure the intent behind your words, and now you must be careful to phrase
things “just so” to avoid being misinterpreted. As an opinionated person, and a
writer at that, I find this terribly stifling and overwhelming.
I've finally come to the conclusion
that I cannot in good conscience shut myself up for fear of misinterpretation.
It is like being strangled. The truth is, sometimes my views are going to upset
people simply because they don't align with their thoughts. Some words are
going to bother some individuals because they have attached negative
associations to them. Some of my views will contradict the religious or spiritual beliefs of those around me. But I cannot pussyfoot around everyone's feelings. No one
can. It is impossible to say what you mean if you must measure every word, not
only to make sure it expresses your thought, but also to make certain it
offends no one's sensitivities.
I think we've forgotten how to
differentiate between frankness and rudeness. If a person does not
sprinkle sugar on their words, most can't handle the bitterness of it. But
there is nothing wrong with frankly discussing religion, health, politics,
gender, sex and all the other topics we've turned into landmines. I intend to
boldly express my opinions on those topics, to march across the minefield that
political correctness has turned them into. I will be respectful, but I will
not be pussyfooted. Writing is my air, and I'll be dammed if I hold my breath
to keep others from getting blue in the face about what I say.
No one should have to live in fear of speaking their opinion. To
silence an opinion is robbery, not just of the one who holds the opinion, but
for those who refuse to hear it. I took a philosophy class last year, and the
words of John Stuart Mill have stuck with me ever since. He wrote, “The peculiar evil of silencing the
expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race…If the opinion is right, they are deprived of
the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is
almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of
truth, produced by its collision with error.” For all I
know, the opinion I stand behind so strongly might be wrong. But how can I
challenge that if I'm too afraid to voice it. If we're able to state
controversial opinions and engage in meaningful discussions, we have the
opportunity to come closer to the truth or enlighten others. Remember, some of
the ideas and beliefs we take for granted today were once hotly debated (see:
gravity) and even dangerous to support (see: racial equality). When
controversial opinions are silenced, engaging debates are not had. These
debates are important for helping individuals refine, redefine or discover
truths. Most of all, they encourage critical thought, rather than reducing us
to mere sheep, and that’s worth pissing a few people off.
