Speaking Louder: A Personal Stand for Free Speech in a Divided Community

Fall always brings a lot of work around the house, the porch gathers leaves, pollen, spider webs, spiders……..As I was cleaning, I found myself reflecting on Sunday’s memorial and the impact of Charlie’s assassination. It kept going round and round in my mind. The impact is on a global scale with record-breaking numbers of attendees and streaming signals. Still, I kept thinking about how his message applies on a local level and how I had personally been silenced in my own community. I was thinking, how can people clearly see the silencing of free speech when it has to do with Charlie, and yet on a local level, blinded……..

Here in Johnson County, we have a We the People group. It meets monthly at the county fairgrounds. It was started in 2021 by me and three other women in the county. Under the about section on the Facebook page, it says “A group of conservative-minded people who seek to serve God, country, and community.” Recently, I ran into a difference of opinion with the group, which I expressed, and guess what? It didn’t go over well for me. My initial comment was removed, and my restating of the comment resulted in me being removed from the page and blocked. I was taken off their Substack, too.

I know you’re thinking, surely, I must have done something to deserve such an outcome. I did. I asked a question. I spoke up not once but twice. I asked for clarification on their newly instated social media rule, which states “posts of disrespect and bashing will be subject to deletion, and possible removal of members.”

I had asked once for clarification, and the post was removed. I have a sticker on my computer, “When they want you silent, speak LOUDER” – I asked my question again – and noted it was my second attempt in hopes of amplifying the significance of my first post being taken down. I had asked both times - what is considered disrespectful or bashing? If I strongly disagree and am upset, and say I don’t support a particular politician? And bang, that was it. I was out. Removed from the group. Blocked. Silenced. Shot.

Now here’s the crazy part, I thought surely, those in the group will stand up and push back. No one did. I was told I should not raise my voice and that nicer talk goes further. I think there was also a claim that my post has profanity – those of you who know me and followed me long enough know I don’t use profanity on social media. Below is my social media post –

I was so upset. How could people whom I consider friends, community members, and fellow conservatives be so opposed to hearing another perspective? Isn’t that what free speech is all about? Why didn’t people see the error in the judgment? Why was it ok to silence a differing opinion?

I ask because we have people on the Act For Missouri page who don’t like us, and certainly don’t agree, and do make comments. We let those comments stand. Sometimes it isn’t easy. Maybe it’s the tone, it’s harsh. Maybe it’s the choice of words. Maybe it’s the point of view, we don’t agree with it. Yet, the people and those posts remain.

The first amendment is a foundational belief and principle of this country. We see it all so clearly with how people feel about Charlie’s life work and untimely death, yet how are we doing locally? And are we willing to speak up when we see free speech threatened on a local level? Or are we brave enough to express our thoughts and opinions even if others don’t agree, and there will be backlash? Do you stand to defend someone else’s right to speak?

I will always defend the 1^st amendment. You may not like what I say, or I may not like what you say, but I will always defend the right for it to be said.

RIP Charlie, may your work and wisdom live on forever.