Freedom of speech
Re: Landmines in shifting landscape of free speech, Christie Blatchford, April 15 In her column, Ms. Blatchford sets out to draw a comparison between charges laid against Eric Brazau for distributing Islamophobia pamphlets, and what she sees as the potential for well- meaning defenders of the right to free speech to be charged with “advocating genocide,” like Mr. Brazau, if they “fixate on the genderfluid and say negative things about them.”
Ms. Blatchford’s article was clearly meant to provoke. I understand that she and others wish to live in a society in which we can safely and openly discuss the direction in which we want our society to go. I wish however, that she would consider the impact her words can have. Words can and do spread fear, and hate.
As a genderqueer person, I find Ms. Blatchford’s attitude toward a day meant to inspire respectful attitudes and communication shockingly callous. I was 28 before I felt safe enough to come out to myself and the world as a queer person. I am 34 now and I am just beginning to feel safe enough to go out the door in men’s clothing and a men’s haircut. I am still just learning who I am; we all are.
I wish Ms. Blatchford would consider how our society might have respectful conversation about what it means to be genderfluid or transgender, how best to protect the physical and emotional safety of our LGBTQ people, and whether these conversations may be just as important as cultivating an atmosphere in which free speech can take place. Melissa Anderson, Nanaimo, B. C.