Salman Rushdie
Freedom of speech
Words are my currency so I was instantly captivated by a news item on Monday which took me to an interview with Sir Salman Rushdie. 
He was talking about his new book, Knife, and I was struck by a comment that language is his knife, the tool through which he cuts open to reveal the truth, enabling him to fight back against the physical knife which so savagely wounded him. Losing an eye, nearly losing his life, has not stopped him from speaking up about what he believes to be important. I might not always agree with him, but I do respect his right to state his opinion.
And hearing his determination made my mind tick faster in relation to a growing concern I have about the effects of words, free speech, peaceful protest, and the tensions that can be created, particularly where the speaker is eloquent and articulate. Somehow it’s becoming much more difficult to uphold freedom of speech.
Just this past week, 
I’ve been
listening to Vicky Beeching openly admitting to being gay at the age of 35 … losing her career as a Evangelical Christian singer songwriter as a consequence;
reading JK Rowling‘s defence of speaking her mind on the matter of gender transitioning … at the expense of her popularity;
watching Dr Hilary Cass drawing attention to the weak evidence underpinning the treatment of gender dysphoria … and attracting negativity.
Just three among many orators and writers, male and female, defending themselves against the abuse and condemnation and even death threats they’ve received for speaking their truth.
But, of course, words can also be used as weapons for ill. Receiving hate mail; watching fanatical preachers peddling condemnation and intolerance; seeing or hearing of ruthless zealots bent on purging the world of certain idea; reading vile slogans daubed on walls; these all chill the blood. I refuse to add links which might oil the engine of publicity for these people and their causes, but you know they exist.
Reflections this week, coupled with developments in my own life, make me want to add my mite by appealing to people everywhere – not just on the world stage, but in lesser everyday arenas – to respect the rights of others to have a considered view, and to express it without threat or abuse. My own experience of being sanctioned for subscribing to certain ideas is small fry when compared to Rushdie’s attempted murder, but I know what it feels like to be branded and punished for my words. This is not the mark of a civilised or compassionate society. But curiously, the more people try to silence me, the more powerfully I see how essential it is to stand up against oppression and bullying.
I prefer a quiet life, but not at all costs.
