In 1791 in the First Amendment of the Constitution, we were given the right of freedom of speech. In that same amendment we were given freedom of religion, freedom of the press and the right to assemble. Two and a quarter centuries later we thankfully still have that right, but expressing our voice has become more fragile than ever. I am part of a generation where change is inevitable. If you don't have the latest iPhone, if your eyebrows aren't perfectly groomed, and if you're not on social media, you're going to feel out of the loop. I've learned from having social media, that people express their voice behind cell phones and in pictures. 'Selfies' have been a way of expression across the entire world.
We've become okay with seeing women express their beauty in a photo with little clothing and men expressing their masculinity as they pose in front of the mirror flexing their muscle-ly muscles. But to express ones self through politics, religion, race, etc.; you better watch out. In my personal opinion, I don't see how one is more offensive than the other; if you are one that takes offense to others opinions that is. How has sex, something that is meant to be intimate and personal, become the accepted way of expression for our society today? Why is it so fragile to talk about the things that make this world go round, but so easy to express ourselves with our bodies? What is happening to our freedom of speech?
Quite frankly I'm hesitant and sometimes afraid to share myself in an open blog to the public. I know I'll receive judgments and criticism, but I promised myself I'd be raw (Hence the Raw Mom) when writing and expressing myself. There's only one judge I need to worry about. And I'm pretty sure we don't purge here in the U.S., so I think I'm safe. (See The Purge, a movie to know what I mean there)
Not too long ago I found myself in an extremely uncomfortable position for a brief moment when I openly asked someone if they believed in God. You would have thought I told them the world was ending tomorrow. I asked questions like: do you like sports, where are you from, do you have any siblings and then I asked, are you a believer and BAM!! It was like a bomb went off. When I was only asking a simple close-ended question. I was criticized for passing judgment onto that person after said person was not a believer. I wanted to ask, what is it that gives you the impression I'm any better than you because I'm a believer and you are not? I'm no one to judge. So the assumption that I was casting judgement hurt a little bit. I let it bother me for a good week before I could gather all of my thoughts and talk about it.
The whole time I thought I was wrong in asking the question. But I have the freedom of speech to ask questions, just like said person had the freedom of speech to ask where I'm from and what I do for a living; both intimate parts of who I am as well. But because we live in a world where freedom of speech is ever so fragile, I was left feeling uncomfortable and so was said person when I asked the question.
I realized that it's just the way the world is right now. I'm a white woman in a relationship with a black man and our relationship brings a whole new set of expression to the table. Our child, who is a perfect mixture of us both, will need to know he can express himself for who he is someday too. I think there's great beauty in individuality, but society always gets you to try to conform to it and work against one another.
Asking that question and the degree of uncomfortableness it set for the other person let's me know that something didn't set right with them, it wasn't my fault. That's something they have to work through for themselves. I beat myself up over it long enough. And I told myself no more after a week had passed.
In order for me to be true to those I know, I have to be true to myself. And with that comes my freedom of speech and expressing myself the way I do in my writing and the way I do in talking. I realized not everyone is going to be okay with the things I express. And that's perfectly okay with me because there are things that I don't agree with when you express yourself to the open public, but I love and accept you anyway. Listen people, we aren't going to get along 100% of the time. We aren't going to agree on everything. And it's gosh darn okay to be the different one in your group of friends who all dress the same, talk the same and do the same. As long as those friends still love and accept you for who you are.
Having a voice in today's world may sometimes be challenging, but it's important. With topics like politics, religion, race, and sexuality being so fragile, you need to have a voice. I think it's always important that you just remember to be true to who you are. Don't conform to society. Express yourself in the way you see fit. Whether your way of expressing yourself is by actively participating in a campaign for this years presidential candidacy, or whether it's expressing yourself by sharing your love for Jesus, or whether you are expressing yourself through your human rights, no one way is more right or wrong from the other. If you're too worried about what everyone else will think, you'll never find your voice.
So although I'm hiding behind a computer in saying all this right now, I'm going to continue expressing myself in open conversation with those I meet and greet throughout my every day. If you don't have a voice, I encourage you to find yours. Otherwise you'll end up bottling in everything and with that comes issues down the road. Actively exercising your voice in a respectable manner is vital for you. It sort of gives you life.
I am thankful for my freedom of speech and I am confident in my voice. This judgmental society that we live in, just know that in due time, it too shall pass. Live on with who you are my friends.
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