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For many of us there comes a defining moment when something in us changes and we begin to question ourselves. When we become aware of our failings, that we are not the incredibly wise beings we think we are, that perhaps we might even at times be wrong.
This is the beginning of maturity, as most of us may recall our childhood and adolescence when we knew everything and those older with more experience just did not understand. But in time we begin to understand, even marvel at the ability of those older and wiser to tolerate our once selfish, self indulgent behavior of youth.
I remember just when that happened to me, I was in my early twenties. I judged those who did not hold my same enlightened views as somehow intellectually inferior, worthy only of scorn and contempt. But one day when I was just bored I watched a documentary that made me see myself quite differently.
I knew that I cared deeply for people, I wanted the best for everyone and I believed (foolishly) that I had so many answers if only people would listen, I could solve so many problems. I was passionate that I knew the truth; I knew what would help, I knew what the problems were- after all I had read many books on Philosophy, Ethics and Logic. I had an incredible GPA; I was always on the Dean’s List every semester so I must be right, after all I had the grades to prove it.
I may have turned out quite differently if I did not turn the channel to see that documentary on of all things the white supremacy movement and the Neo-Nazis. Of course the material and beliefs they conveyed were morally reprehensible but something else really got to me. Although I was morally arrogant I was still at heart a good person, but what if my ideas were wrong, could I do as much damage to others rights as these people?
These individuals, these horrible white supremacists really believed they were right. They believed they were actually the ones trying to right what was wrong in the world. They were as morally certain in their cause as I was in mine.
I remember that a man, who looked as kind as any person I had ever seen, was talking about a ceremony they held in the woods to initiate new members, he could have been talking as a minister baptizing newly salvaged souls for all the reverence and feeling the ceremony gave him. He talked of the joy he felt; of the hope it gave him to know he was a part of something so important. He talked about how the light filtered through the trees and how it made him feel close to god.
It scared me, this moral certainty since the acts committed were so obviously wrong and anyone who with the ability to reason could see that simple truth. Any yet, he believed, and reason did not matter, truth did not matter only what he felt mattered. This was the moment I realized I must never give in to a feeling of moral superiority, because I could be just as wrong.
Since then I studied issues more carefully, I began to listen. I truly began to appreciate the First Amendment, as before I had doubts because so many ignorant uneducated people could have such influence.
I came to understand in the US we can speak and we can know what lurks in the hearts of men and women good or evil. We can have our beliefs challenged, we can debate and people are free to make up their own minds. That is freedom it is, the freedom people have given their lives to protect, and it is worthy of protection.
It was then that day I understood our founding fathers gave us an amazing gift, the gift to learn and change and progress through the free exchange of ideas. "Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt." -Bergen Evans. How can we doubt if we are only exposed to the views we are comfortable with, those that do not challenge what we hold to be true?
I understood the wisdom of those who had experienced something we have not, the creation of a nation. They had a vision and that vision created something wonderful we must never take for granted.
They were not perfect, they were in many ways ordinary people, but they did an extraordinary thing. They created our country, founded on ideals that were truly enlightened. It was not perfect, but nothing created by humans can be - but it worked.
I have found many of my original notions were misguided, were not as clear cut as I had been taught to believe. There is wisdom that comes from sources that some people may dismiss - the wisdom of experience, of hardship, of lessons learned from tragic mistakes. Lessons no book could teach, lessons you could learn only by doing and seeing or feeling for yourself.
Why am I telling you this – because I am afraid. I am afraid when a government declares a private enterprise is merely out to destroy him or is just a wing of the opposing political party. When did that become a crime? Where is it written that all news organizations must be flattering or positive to the President?
He might be right; they may just want to discredit him but if he is just and correct, his actions should be louder than any critics. Freedom of the press is truly a right of the American people and those with opposing views should have their outlet. They do not need to even defend their neutrality they have a right to express any view they have, nor did our patriots die in vain?
The KKK gets to have their parades, even if what they stand for is morally unthinkable. Even though they have their rallies the progress of equality and freedom increases. The righteousness of the civil rights leaders was far more powerful than the ignorance of those with hearts full of hate. Have faith in your country, we are exceptional in our idealism as we are in so many other things.
I will end with another quote from a wise man:
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore Roosevelt