Free speech is the whole thing,
the whole ball game.
Free speech is life itself.
SALMAN RUSHDIE
Language is communication. Language is so vital to the human condition that those who cannot physically speak or hear have found other effective ways to communicate.
Photo by Daniel Fazio
Sign language is a true language with the grammar, vocabulary, and subtleties of meaning found in the most complex spoken languages. To be able to communicate and be ‘heard’ is a basic human need.
Freedom to voice one’s opinion, to argue, to debate, to challenge popular and sacred beliefs with impunity ∼ these are the hallmarks of civilisation.
We have taken this freedom for granted for so long that many of us are unaware that it is being steadily eroded.
Universities used to be institutions that welcomed independent thinking and debate. Everyone, no matter his or her views or political opinions could speak and be heard.
This is no longer the case. Independent thinking is not welcome in universities or society in general in the current political climate with its sinister cancel culture. Diversity of thought can result in being ‘cancelled’: being deleted on social media, being ridiculed and targeted on mass media, losing one’s job, livelihood, even losing one’s home and worse.
Early in life I had noticed that no event is ever correctly reported in a newspaper.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….GEORGE ORWELL
Joy Villa was invited to speak at Congress (USA) recently. She referred to “… laws protecting race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexuality and disability …” and implored Congress to expand the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include political affiliation as a protected class. Her very real concern is that “political bigotry is silencing the voices of Americans”. Joy Villa is an excellent speaker: articulate, well-informed, and passionate about her country and its traditional ideals.
Click on the picture for her presentation:
*Recommended reading:
Animal Farm (1946) by George Orwell
1984 (1949) by George Orwell
First they ignore you;
then they ridicule you;
then they fight you;
then you win.
…..MAHATMA GANDHI
Mary's English Blog 
What an excellent explanation of a present day trend! It is indeed concerning that the ” age of reason” seems to disappear. There is nothing more liberating and exciting than to debate an issue. I think that is why the British celebrate it in ” Speaker’s Corner ” in London.
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