That “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech” is a fundamental principle of our country we continue to passionately preserve today.
Even though freedom of expression is a First Amendment right guaranteed by the Constitution, we should at least consider the consequences of our actions.
U.S. Libya Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other American diplomats were killed Sept. 11 by a band of heavily armed militants. At first, the attack was thought to be the result of an uprising in response to Nakoula Basseley Nakoula’s movie the “Innocence of Muslims” — a 13-minute low budget film that is an offensive portrayal of Muslims and the prophet Mohammed. However, it is now believed the attack was a strategic plan by a Libyan terrorist group that is responsible for recent violent acts in Libya, according to CNN.
In response to the murders, President Barack Obama has called for justice. Two American warships have been sent to the Libyan coast and unmanned drones are patrolling over eastern Libya in search of terror camps. A team of Marines has also been deployed to protect Americans.
The murder of Stevens and his colleagues is not representative of Libya as a whole, or Libyans’ attitude toward the U.S.
Stevens, 52, worked as a diplomat to end the regime of Moammar Gadhafi, and after Gadhafi’s death was working to help stabilize Libya. A group of Libyans who found Stevens barely alive in the U.S. Consulate rushed him to the hospital in an attempt to save his life. Pictures show Libyans holding signs that express sympathy for the murders.
Blaming the murders on the “Innocence of Muslims” is a thin excuse made by the people who actually killed Stevens and his fellow diplomats — the “Imprisoned Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman Brigades,” the terrorist group investigators believe is responsible.
Although “Innocence of Muslims” is not the sole instigator, it undoubtedly played a part in sparking the protests that allowed the terrorist group to carry out the attack.
In a statement released to CNN, 80 cast and crew members of the “Innocence of Muslims” said they were deceived by Nakoula. Dialogue appears visibly dubbed in the film and there was no mention of Mohammed in the original script.
But the hard realization is that even though we may not agree with Nakoula’s message, he had every right to express his beliefs.
Every day we are faced with offensive messages contrary to our own beliefs. It is our responsibility to control our reactions to these messages. Reacting with irrational behavior and violence is often what people such as Nakoula want and expect.
Freedom of expression is what makes America great and we should exercise this right without fear of repression or retribution. But we should also be mindful of the consequences of our speech because we never know how far-reaching they might be.
— EE