In light of the recent politically charged movements at Berkeley, there are several questions to consider:
When we are considering ideology and political stances, what really should we be considering?
There will undoubtedly be a vast number of issues that will be morally debated without any measure to distinguish an objective right or wrong.
That being said, what about universal rights that we can agree upon such as freedom of speech? Where does that line get drawn? Is hateful and pointed speech something that our society wants to accept?
Let’s not forget that every single one of our actions stems initially from thoughts. Accepting terrible thoughts and speech does indeed signify that we are willing to tolerate the consequences of hateful actions. That being said, freedom of speech is a freedom that no one wants to infringe on.
What if the consequences of freedom of speech and belief, as they oftenly do, damage an individual’s inherent right to life?
Is the right of speech, even in circumstances where lives are in jeopardy, more important than life itself?
The one and most precious thing we are born with is this life. No one, regardless of political stance, should be able to threaten to take that away from any other individual. Remember that next time when you evaluate what you stand for.