I thought setting up a blog was a major challenge but that process was a piece of cake compared to trying to decide what I would write about in my first article.  After spending over a week reading through everything from the textbook material for my US Government course, newspapers, mainstream online internet sources, and watching various news sources, I finally realized that the whole point of blogging is about one of the most fundamental rights in a democracy which is covered in chapter two of my US Government textbook.  Embodied in our Bill of Rights are many amendments, which protect our rights and freedoms in this country, but the very first is our freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.   Blogging is just one of the newest forms we use to exercise freedom of speech.  This freedom is being hotly debated around the world right now in view of the YouTube video/film that has insulted many in the Muslim religion, and led to the deaths of many innocent people.   I have not viewed this video or have any intention to.  There is no end of sources discussing this topic but I would like to address one written for Newsweek/ TheDaily Beast that has caught my attention. 

The article is entitled, “Muslim Rage & The Last Gasp of Islamic Hate” and the author is

Ayaan Hirsi Ali.  Ms. Ali is a Muslim woman who escaped from Somalia, became involved in Dutch politics, and actively advocated for change in regards to women’s rights in the Muslim religion; even at great cost to her own freedom and safety.  She is currently a New York Times best selling author and a fellow of the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.   Her article focuses mainly on how important the freedom of speech is, and how the freedom of speech our democracy provides can get us into trouble; the latest situation is not the first time.  She points out it has been 23 years since author Salman Rushdie’s book, The Satanic Verses, infuriated the Muslim world, and there have been other incidents between then and now.  She addresses her personal experiences with speaking out against some of the Muslim philosophies but what caught my attention is the issue of defending our freedom of speech, more specifically, the government of a democracy defending their people’s right.

I, like many people, watched the unfolding news events of last week in disbelief and horror.  It is hard to understand how people like the US ambassador and his colleagues could dedicate their lives to helping an oppressed people fight for their rights and democracy, just to be murdered by extremists from that same society.  There is no question that we also believe in fighting for your beliefs or defending your own religion but at what cost?  There is no doubt that is at the core of the Muslim anger and response.  Let me point out that insulting or offending anyone should never be taken lightly, and this issue certainly deserves respect and discussion on a much bigger scale.  However, I would like to leave that area of the issue for another forum at this time.

My focus in this blog is specifically on the issue of freedom of speech because I found myself struggling with a variety of emotions.  On one hand, I feel the person who made this video/film has a right to speak his opinion, but on the other hand, at what point does it cross the line, and what line?  Is there a line when it comes to free speech?  Do we have a right to express our feelings and thoughts even if it could endanger our entire society or cost someone their life? However, if we view our first amendment rights as being the cornerstone of our democracy, shouldn’t our government defend that right at all costs, and not be apologizing for it? 

Our government is often put in situations of damage control from a diplomatic standpoint, and there is no doubt that is a growing problem in our troubled world today.  However, even though I strongly believe in diplomatic versus military actions in the political theatre, I found myself questioning the response of our government.  On one hand, I think it is in our nature to want to apologize for offending another person, but how do you apologize for freedom of speech?  Will an apology hold any meaning when the people you are apologizing to do not embrace this fundamental value?  Or do they?  After watching the protests spreading around the world, aren’t those people also expressing freedom of speech?  We certainly didn’t see their governments trying to stop the anti-American sentiment we have been witnessing for many years, if not decades, now.  If we look back at previous situations that have insulted the Muslim society or any other society, have we learned anything?  In my opinion, our government has, and continues, to respond like a parent to a child that throws a temper tantrum.  Every time they kick and scream you give into them, and if you never hold your ground, they will never learn to stop kicking and screaming to get their way.  I realize this might not be the best analogy for the seriousness of this situation, and in no way mean to imply the Muslim people are acting like children, but how can we believe so strongly in our first amendment rights, and yet feel we have to apologize for them?  Ms. Hirsi points out in her article how it is an, “utterly incoherent tendency to simultaneously defend free speech—and to condemn its results”(Ali).  Don’t we have a fundamental moral obligation to stand up for what we believe in too?  Is our freedom of speech more or less valuable than their right to defend their religion?

If we are going to continue to be the beacon of freedom in this world we have to protect the very morals and values our democracy is built on.  If we want to see people around the world embrace democracy then as Ms. Ali so eloquently points out, “we must be patient. America needs to empower those individuals and groups who are already disenchanted with political Islam by helping find and develop an alternative. At the heart of that alternative are the ideals of the rule of law and freedom of thought, worship, and expression. For these values there can and should be no apologies, no groveling, no hesitation…I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”(Ali).

Source cited:

Ali, Ayaan Hirsi. "Muslim Rage & The Last Gasp of Islamic Hate." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/16/ayaan-hirsi-ali-on-the-islamists-final-stand.html>.