Freedom of Speech is DEAD!!!!

Do we truly still have a right to free speech?  Technically yes we do, but do you and I really have the right to speak our minds anymore.  Lately we see countless incidents where individuals have felt the need to apologize for even the most mundane jokes. Take for example MSNBC and their "ill advised Cinco de Mayo segment" in which an anchor in a sombrero came on screen drinking what looked like tequila while shouting Happy Cinco de Mayo.  Most people would find this harmless fun, but as we all know in an effort to be politically correct MSNBC quickly apologized for their actions. This is just one of the many incidents throughout the media that have prompted apologies from the perpetrators.

While the aforementioned incidents were indeed harmless, we have also encountered more realistic events such as the Donald Sterling debacle and the kiss seen round the world when Micheal Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams.

First off, the entire Donald Sterling incident was taken completely out of context.  I do not for one second agree with what he said, but I do agree with his right to say it.  In addition to that, I also don't agree with the fact that he was duped and recorded without his knowledge.  Those aspects of the situation pale in comparison to the punishment he faced.  For stating his opinion, albeit an awful one, he was not only fined, but the NBA is doing everything they can to see that his entire livelihood is taken away from him.  How is it that we are supposed to have a freedom of speech, but at the same time when exercising that freedom we can lose everything we hold dear.

Not long after we were inundated with the Donald Sterling reports, we encountered another instance in which an individual was persecuted for simply stating his opinion. This time it was in reference to the "kiss seen round the world" that occurred after Michael Sam was drafted to the St. Louis Rams.  (I must say this is the most talked about 7th round draft pick in the history of the NFL.)

Following the news of Sam being drafted, Donald Jones of the Miami Dolphins (also a 7th round draft pick) decided to express his opinion regarding the kiss by writing on his Twitter "OMG" and "Horrible". These simple Tweets led to him not only being relieved by the team for an undisclosed amount of time, but he was fined as well.

This is where I draw the conclusion that our freedom of speech is inherently DEAD!!!  You cannot express your opinions regarding any hot topic unless those opinions fall in line with what society deems "acceptable".  If you happen to posses an opinion that falls outside of those boundaries you are not only ostracized, you are now fired and fined. This is a scary precedent to set as what society deems acceptable changes arbitrarily.  Before you know it those who are partaking in the "outrage" will in turn be the victim. Who will the accusers run to when they become the victim?

Young Conservative
@Steve0423

<script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- First ad -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-1840920495167742"
     data-ad-slot="3896105312"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>