A note from a young Saudi girl reminds us of the need to keep speaking freely
As an American, I’m used to having the right to shout into the void. And as many other Americans have found out, I’m used to being ignored, heckled and marginalized for expressing myself, as well. It’s the new American way - you have the right to free speech, but your speech better be status quo, or you’re an easily-ignoredand despised, fringe whacko.
So it was with quite a bit of interest I read a recent comment to my blog from someone who likely looks at freedom of speech differently than I — a 15-year-old Saudi Arabian girl.
“First of all, I want to thank you for you’re courageous writing, I truly admire that courage in you, it’s been really nice reading what you’ve wrote,” wrote Maram, who went on to give her opinions on how she views U.S. President George W. Bush as well as how she feels those in her country view him.
Maram’s comment showed to me that all of us out here shouting away need to keep doing it. When you’re used to having the right to speak, it is not courageous to say what you think - but it shows courage to continue to speak your mind when you know the words will often be met so often with contempt, or more likely ennui.
More importantly, however, when a teen-age Saudi girl is joining the conversation and showing what courage really is, it shows us that we need to continue shouting into the void. Because the void is listening.
–WKW
August 18th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I’m going through your archives. Liking most of what I’m reading, obviously, and this little gem pops up. What a great, soul warming story. I can’t believe I’m the first one to comment on this. Very cool.