On July 24, the New York Times editorial board wrote an article titled “It is Every American’s Right to Curse the President.” I would recommend that everyone within reach of this paper read it. It is a straightforward defense of the freedom of speech.
Recently, there has been some discussion regarding a protest of Dr. Fauci. He is a public figure, and thus is open to public discourse, that includes being hanged in effigy. Hanging someone in effigy is political speech. It is centuries old and is practiced by countries across the world. It is nonviolent and protected under the Constitution by the same rules that allow others to condemn it. No one gets hurt, nothing is stolen, nothing is on fire and diners are not chased from their bistro tables. It is merely a passive statement of intense disdain, in this case about Dr. Fauci.
Recently, we have seen the rise of cancel culture which is nothing more than an attempt to silence those that disagree with us. My opinion is that in southern Delaware we should be allied in our condemnation of cancel culture as, without freedom of speech, there can be no justice.
Speak your peace, vote your conscience, but cancel no one.