Eulogy: The Death of Free Speech
There is no action more honourable than to give one’s life for the sake of another.
When we contemplate this sentiment, we think of our firefighters and police force, who throw themselves to the fore of life-and-death situations to save lives. We think of our military, who willingly risk their lives to protect us and our country. But we might not think of free speech, the man we remember today.
Despite us all being beneficiaries of his legacy, we often overlook the many historical battles that free speech fought. But reflect on the progress we have made in conquering bigotry and discrimination, or on our right to criticise the government and prevent tyranny, or on the democracy that gives us voice in political debates, and the magnitude of his existence becomes transparent – free speech devoted his life to combatting the injustices that suppress freedom and progress in our society.
What made him such a powerful adversary of injustice can be unearthed in Ancient Greece, the birthplace of free speech. As a young man, he found a mentor in the philosopher Socrates, who was famed for speaking frankly in his pursuit of truth and societal advancement. Socrates spurred his student to follow his example, and soon, the name “free speech” became inextricably linked with the search for truth. Indeed, no truth and hence no justice can be discovered without freedom of speech.
As a champion for change and the courageous voice for the oppressed, free speech