A free society needs free speech and it needs freedom of expression through art. Without that, we can not say that we are free and freedom is something I take really seriously. It is one of those things that I will always defend. Living in the country that I do and in the time that I do, one would think that I am free. Am I really? I try to be and I try to keep my zen state of mind in check as often as I can but then stupid people come and my aggressive side comes out to the surface. Happy fairy grows horns and wants to bite. It is a natural defensive mechanism, better that than hiding in a hole and crying. Why? Because there is nothing more sacred to me than my freedom and when I sense that someone is trying to shush me... Well, let's just say that I do not like being shushed...

To provide you with some helpful context; I live in a European country and I live in the capital of it, the year is 2018. Plays in theaters are canceled because they offend certain people, music concerts and exhibitions are canceled because they offend certain people and even flowers are being destroyed because they are not in the right shape and color, I kid you not, a man came with a tractor and destroyed the red flowers that were planted in one city. Terrified yet? Online world and nature are my escapes from the harsh reality I live in. Sometimes George Orwell's 1984 comes to mind and I just want to run away from all the idiots I am surrounded with.

In cases where our opinion does not lead to an objective harm, we are free to express ourselves however we please and should not be censored by anyone anytime. There is some criticism to this that says how offending is a type of harm and should, therefore, be banned in some way. This is a slippery slope because people are diverse in their nature.

People often allow their inner insulted child to come out. We all have that child inside us that wants to defend our mom when someone calls her stupid but there is a difference between those that know how to silence that child and talk to it and those that just allow it to run free. Different people get offended by different things but that will never stop me from speaking about those things or criticizing them. It is impossible to censor every idea that offends someone because that would mean we should stop talking, all of us.

Freedom of speech is the freedom to criticise ideas, philosophies, and opinions. How would we ever address bad ideas and bad things that are going on if we have to worry our words would hurt those they are directed at? Sure, there are demeaning opinions that come from ignorance and their intention is to hurt but do you really think that denying people to express their offensive views will make those views go away? It will not. We have to challenge those opinions with rational thinking and facts. We have to educate people and teach them how to participate in the discussion.

Things that are causing the most problems are religion and nationality (at least in my country). Many religions are enforcing opinions and views on people and they hold great power over them. Challenging those views is ensuring safety and freedom. We should always question everything and fight against propaganda about universal truths and blind faith. Well, if you want to believe in something blindly, go right ahead, I do not have any problem with that but what I do have a problem with is when people get offended when I say that is stupid. Why does my opinion offend you? You can call me stupid and it will not offend me and you know why? Because I am not emotionally attached to your opinion and I do not base my sense of value as a human being on acceptance and approval of others. You should try that. Instead of screaming at me or trying to shush me when I say something you do not agree with, try not take things so personally. Not everything in this world revolves around you. Nothing really does. This is how you look when you try to silence those that you do not approve of:

There are people who are on a mission to offend. They do it on purpose and that purpose is to provoke. They are saying things just because they can without any need for it and are going around insulting people with an intent to insult with horrible words. That is childish too, childish and dangerous. Whenever a woman lies about being raped she undermines the suffering of those that did had that experience and she is with that lie destroying all that others are fighting for. Same goes for so-called "free speech fighters". By going around and insulting people because you want to insult them to prove a point how you have the right to say whatever you want by justification with free speech, you are doing the opposite. You are killing free speech and undermining everything that free speech is about.

Hate speech is not the same as free speech. Hate speech has the intention to cause harm. Free speech can criticise but it has nothing to do with hate and violence. When someone says we should kill all ____ (insert whatever religion or nationality), that is hate speech, but when someone uses sarcasm or makes a satiric play, that is free speech. Art is expressing the right of free speech. Do not shush artists, never shush artists.

Whatever you do, please do not be a hypocrite. Can you take a joke? Can you handle criticism? It is easy to promote free speech when you are the one talking but harder when people are talking about you, right? It should not be. Where is your confidence and the wish to improve yourself?

I think people have become too sensitive nowadays and get offended too easily. All philosophies, religions, political parties and all people should be confident enough to invite inquiry and criticism. To paraphrase Voltaire:

Just because we do not agree with something does not mean we should censor it and you know why? By censoring those you do not agree with you are allowing others to censor you when they do not agree with you. It is a two-way thing, it always was and it always will be. If you value your freedom, value others too. I am responsible for what I say but not for your feelings about it. If you are offended by my words, art or actions, that is your problem, not mine. Find a way to deal with it. My opinion is just that, an opinion and I have the right to have it just like you have the right for yours. Do not shush me, whatever you do, do not try to shush me, ever...