Je Suis Charlie
So often I disagree with what someone says and, sometimes, what they believe. It’s hard to be silent when you’re in disagreement and it’s rather grueling to listen to someone go on and on about a belief they have that’s on the opposite end of the spectrum of your own belief system. But, sharing what we want when we want is a freedom that all Americans have, not just the Americans that think like we do.
Just last week on my Facebook feed, I saw a post that completely and totally disgusted me. It was immoral, it objectified women and it came from someone who posts something deeply spiritual one day and the next they post something so disgusting that you want to report it or reprimand them via private message. But, last week I did neither. It’s amazing how brave and brazen we become from the confines of our own personal space, safely behind the screen of a computer or tablet or smart phone. While I’m often SO encouraged by Facebook, I’m almost equally as often appalled by some of the things I see.
Here’s the bottom line, the very privileged and hard fought for bottom line. The First amendment of the United States Constitution “prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for governmental redress of grievances.” This amendment was established in December of 1751 as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights. And, here we are in 2015 where this amendment still holds true.
The same amendment that protects my friends Facebook post that I was disgusted by also protects my right to talk about style and spirit. It’s all important, all worthy in the eyes of the First Amendment. And, while it may not all be glitter and rainbows, it’s quite a blessing to speak from our hearts without fear. Quite frankly, I cannot imagine a life without free speech. We celebrate this amendment by exercising it. Today and always remember that. While we may struggle to find common ground with people, may we seek the common denominator of all having the right to speak from the heart on anything, anytime, always.
Stay Divine,
JL PARISH
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