Free expression has become a long lasting value that is deeply ingrained in both societal and personal matters. As for societal value, free expression enables us to hold a democratic and openly communicated world, allowing us the freedom of thought and discussion to present our own personal beliefs and opinions. Free expression creates an environment in which innovation can thrive, as “It allows people to question, debate, and challenge ideas openly . . .” (Stand Together). Free expression also allows people to express their thoughts without fear of censorship or punishment. This concept enables people to share knowledge, engage in meaningful debates, and empowers self-actualization.
While free expression provides massive societal value, this concept also provides deeply personal values. On a personal level, free expression allows individuals to explore their own personal identity, values, and beliefs. This creates a world in which people can feel free in exploring their own lives and trying out their own personal ideas and improving on their own self-development. “Free expression gives people the freedom to explore their unique talents and share them with others, helping both personal growth and societal progress. This freedom inspires individuals to follow their passions and take on meaningful work that suits their strengths.” (Stand Together)
Free expression can also be credited for its contribution to both public and personal identities. When people speak publicly, they are expressing their own viewpoints, actively participating in their community and claiming their citizenship within that community. This idea relates to the term “Parrhesia” which has been talked about and explained in our readings. This reading by Michel Foucault explains ” ‘Parrhesia’ is ordinarily translated into English by ‘free speech’ . . . The one who uses parrhesia, the parrhesiastes, is someone who says everything he has in mind : he does not hide anything, but opens his heart and mind completely to other people through his discourse. In parrhesia, the speaker is supposed to give a complete and exact account of what he has in mind so that the audience is able to comprehend exactly what the thinker speaks.” The parrhesia model shows that the truth-speaker, or the “parrhesiastes”, speaks upon their own thoughts in a public manner, creating a public identity of independence.
As for private identity, free expression is part of one’s process of discovering their own personal beliefs. This personal dialogue allows people to become who they are through their own truth-telling and personal identity discovery. The ability to speak freely is not solely about being heard by others but is also about hearing one’s own personal thoughts and reflecting upon the ideas within those thoughts.
The protection of free expression is vital as free expression is the key to our societal progress and innovation and also for our own personal ability to think freely and grow on an individual scale. Without the protection of free expression, our ability to think freely, challenge ideas, and engage in meaningful debates becomes at risk. Limiting free expression does not only affect societal aspects, but also silences personal growth and harms the identities of individuals that makes all of us different. Without the ability to freely express our own thoughts, ideas, or beliefs, we may simply become a group of people living in fear of discovering who we truly are.