Elise+D’s+Final+AmEx+2014+Speech

=Title of Speech=

"Unfreedom of Speech" =Text of Speech=

Freedom of Speech is beginning to become scarce in America. Group think consumes the lives and minds of the citizens of the United States of America. Group think is defined as the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility. Everyone has a right to his or her own opinion and should openly exercise this right. The diversity of ideas and beliefs should be what makes the United States so powerful. The willingness to respectfully argue and convey ones ideas to another should be one of the many facets that enhances and enriches the world we live in. Knowledge is vital in eliminating widespread ignorance. President Harriet Truman stated, “Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear." Look at our blogs for example. Once someone reads a blog he or she does not agree with he or she attacks the writer and the domino theory ensues. Numerous people join the cyber war and cruel and viscous comments are exchanged back and forth. An understanding is never reached because of all of the turmoil revolving around the issue. Emotions take over and logic seems to be thrown right out the window. We need to respect one another’s beliefs and be confident in our own. If we are confident in our own beliefs we should not feel like we need to attack someone else’s beliefs. The irony behind group think is that the individuals that embody this support diversity and individuality but in reality they are only supporting their type of diversity or individuality.

Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner and devout Christian, is a solid example of someone who was and is persecuted by the mob like mentality revolving around group think. Pam Tebow, Tim’s mother was encouraged to get an abortion when she was living in the Philippines with her husband. The doctor believed that Tim could have had mental or physical disabilities because Pam had gotten extremely sick and the medicine could have affected the fetus. She decided against it and Tim Tebow was born. Tim Tebow and his family are openly pro life supporters and he is not afraid to share his beliefs on the subject. For the Super Bowl Tim Tebow and his mother participated in a pro life commercial created by Focus on the Family. The commercial focused on how thankful he was that his mother had not aborted him. He received a lot of flack and disgust for this. It was a very controversial issue. Tim Tebow has also been persecuted for praying on the Football field which is referred to as Tebowing. Jimmy Fallon stated, “The commercial comes at the tail end of a season where Tebow’s religion and beliefs have been often discussed and mocked.”It makes me furiously angry that anyone would have to endure such persecution for their beliefs and ideas. Tim Tebow should be respected for his beliefs not be victimized. Our beliefs and ideas are what makes us who we are and we should always be respected for sharing or explaining them. We should never be bullied into submission.

Another example of group think oppressing and persecuting an individual is the controversy revolving around Chick-Fil- A. The CEO of Chick-Fil- A, Dan Cathy was asked if he supported the traditional family. He responded, “Guilty as charged.” After this incident he was bombarded and persecuted for having a belief that contradicted the popular belief of others. Chick-Fil- A was boycotted and gays created a day were they went into the establishment and had a kissing frenzy in order to mock and oppose Dan Cathy. Why do people feel the need to berate and disregard Dan Cathy for sharing his beliefs? Obviously they can disagree with him but should not they respect him for sharing his beliefs? This is the classic double standard of what we have today. He got lynch mobbed by a group of individuals who banded together and disagreed with his views. Both of these men are just exercising their rights. We can openly disagree or agree with them if we so choose, but we do not need to disrespect them in any way shape or form. Have you ever noticed that once you begin to illustrate your topic in a skillful calm way the viewer does not listen to you, instead the person intimidates you hoping that you will be quiet. The conversation can quickly become viral. Then they do not and will not listen to you even if you are conveying positive ideas that could benefit them. Attacking someone is not the proper way to try to challenge or alter their beliefs or ideas. If you encounter someone who has different beliefs or ideas from yours you should not harass, intimidate, or berate them but instead you should begin to formulate a solid argument to sway them or get them to understand where you are coming from. Wow them with your argument instead of badgering them with painful comments.

I am overwhelmingly tired of seeing people persecuted for their opinions and beliefs. Individuals wear their emotions on their sleeves and once someone says something that offends them they brutally attack them. Dr Benjamin Carson discusses this phenomenon in a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. He then discusses the idea that in our day and age no matter what you say someone seems to be become offended. He talks about a moment when he was talking to a group of people about the differences between a dog and humans brain. One man immediately fired back, you cannot talk about a dog talk that way. No matter what anyone says someone seems to become offended. Gandhi was imprisoned for his beliefs, Galileo was prosecuted for his scientific discoveries, Dalai Lama was contested for wanting the Chinese out of Tibet, and Mary Queen of Scotts was criticized for being catholic. Robert Frost stated, “Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” I believe that this analogy can be used to describe the issue I am discussing. The road traveled by many can be referred to as the group think community. These individuals prosecute and judge others for having opposing beliefs. Many follow these individuals because they are afraid to express their beliefs or ideas. I want to be a part of the road that is traveled by the few. I want to be able to say that I respect everyone and their beliefs even if they do not coincide with mine. Evelyn Beatrice Hall stated, " 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

In the world I would like to grow old in I want to see people who are not afraid to speak out and show the world who they truly are through their beliefs, ideas, and opinions. I do not want them to be crushed or discouraged by the people that embody the term of group think. For we are all brilliant individuals fearfully and wonderfully made. A quote from the film, Cool Hand Luke states, What we got here is... failure to communicate. Once we can truly embrace the opinions and beliefs of others we will be able to evolve as a society and community in a way that can bring about change.

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