MCO 528
As humans we naturally like to be heard, and we each have our own opinions. This is why free expression is very important because it gives us the ability to share our opinions, challenge ideas, and tell our stories. While it plays a major role in democracy, I believe its value can also be personal. Being able to express ourselves helps us become who we are or strive to be, but being silenced can make us feel like our voice does not matter.
Two ancient Greek concepts, parrhesia and isegoria, help explain why free expression matters. In his lectures on parrhesia, Michel Foucault explains the idea of speaking honestly, even when it can involve personal risk. For example, a journalist exposing government corruption may face criticism or retaliation, but still believes the public deserves to know the truth. On the other hand, isegoria emphasizes the equal right to participate in public discussion. Teresa M. Bejan explores these different understandings of freedom of speech in “Two Concepts of Freedom (of Speech)”. Both ideas are equally important to me because having the courage to speak means a lot because it also stands for those whose voices were never heard.
Free expression also shapes our personal identities. When we are able to share our experiences and perspectives, it allows us to have a better understanding of who each other are. In “Can the Subaltern Speak?”, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak examines how people from marginalized groups can be silenced by systems of power. This made me consider the difference between being allowed to speak and actually being listened to. Someone might technically have the freedom to share their story, but if others ignore them, that freedom means nothing.
A modern example of expression shaping identity is the video game When Rivers Were Trails, which shares Indigenous perspectives and experiences through interactive storytelling. I think examples like this show that expression is not limited to speeches, protests, or political debates. Art, games, writing, and social media also help people represent their cultures and experiences in their own voices.
I definitely believe free expression is worth protecting. The First Amendment of The U.S. Constitution protects several fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and the press. However, I think protecting these rights should involve more than simply allowing people to speak. We should consider whose voices are taken seriously just as equally as those who aren’t. Free expression does not mean every opinion is correct, but it allows people to question information, challenge others, and learn from perspectives different from their own. I believe a society can become stronger when people can speak honestly without fear and when everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard.
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