Freedom of Speech

I recently had an interesting experience during a discussion with my professor, Dr. Sue, and some colleagues. Dr. Sue has a unique story—she immigrated from China to Australia and eventually came to the United States. Her background often brings a lot of depth to the conversations we have, but one particular day left me reflecting on a bigger issue: freedom of speech.

We were talking about humanitarian crises around the world when one of my colleagues brought up the situation in Syria. They shared details about the struggles faced by people there and the efforts of various organizations providing aid. I was curious and asked questions about how these organizations worked, who supported them, and what kind of challenges they faced.

To my surprise, Dr. Sue didn’t seem very happy with the direction of the conversation. She didn’t say much, but I could sense her discomfort. It wasn’t until later that I began to understand why.

Dr. Sue grew up in China, where freedom of speech is tightly controlled, people often avoid discussing sensitive topics, especially ones that involve politics or criticism of certain systems. Even though Dr. Sue has lived in countries with more open societies, it’s clear that the environment you grow up in shapes how you view and engage with certain issues.

That moment made me realize how much I take freedom of speech for granted. Living in a society where I can openly ask questions or challenge ideas is something I rarely stop to appreciate. But for someone like Dr. Sue, who grew up in a place where such freedoms were limited, these conversations might feel risky or uncomfortable, even years later.

It also taught me something about empathy. Just because we have the freedom to speak doesn’t mean everyone feels equally safe to use their voice. It’s important to recognize that people’s comfort levels in these discussions are shaped by their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds.

That conversation stayed with me. It made me more mindful of how I approach sensitive topics and how I engage with others who might have different perspectives or histories. Freedom of speech is a powerful thing, but it’s not just about speaking openly—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels heard and respected.

I’m grateful for that moment with Dr. Sue. It was a small but powerful reminder of the complexities of human experiences and how much we can learn from one another when we take the time to listen and reflect.