“Freedom ain’t nothing but knowing how to say what’s up in your head.” —Ralph Ellison…
The freedom to speak our minds is a precious gift. Throughout the world, throughout history, it has been and is rare privilege. The privilege should oblige us in return to broaden and strengthen our minds, so that what we speak is worthy of free people. The obligation is not to be perfect; the search for truth proceeds by trial and error. It is to be generous, forgiving, and honest. A moment’s thought before we speak might save us and those around us many petty words. We can’t choose our feelings. From time to time we’ll be swept by feelings that we wouldn’t choose. But we can choose our actions. We can always choose to speak or not. Often it’s wiser not to speak out of negative feelings. If we remind ourselves that free speech was a hard-won right, we may have more respect for the way we enjoy it. A moment’s reflection may keep me from abusing my rights—or others’.