A Voice? Or Just an Echo?

It seems that so many people preach freedom and liberty, yet their idea of freedom is that you get to feel as they do - no deviation. If not, you are subject to being silenced, shouted down, belittled, berated, and essentially ostracized. People spout all these soliloquies about freedom and then can't seem to practice what they preach -- freedom means people get to feel differently about a topic than you do --- to have different thoughts, ideas, and ideologies. It means that at times that requires you to think about not just the current situation at hand but perhaps a precedent that particular topic of discussion may set for the future. The impact that a thought process might have on society as a whole or a particular people group or even an individual.

"Whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation, take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Elie Wiesel

I think it's a reminder to us all, no matter our affiliations, choices, preferences, etc - we're all human beings and all it takes is one voice. One voice to speak up, to stand out, to stand against oppression - not because you agree or disagree - but because it's the right thing to do. One voice gives others the courage to do the same. Freedom means the ability to have different thoughts, ideas, & ideologies. Defense of that freedom is paramount. Because if you don't defend that right....even when you may disagree, who is to say that you will not be the next to be silenced? & then who will be left to stand for you? Will you choose to be a voice? Or simply an echo?