We Live in a Country That Allows Free Speech. Why Am I Afraid to Speak Up?

(An image from the author's photo album, taken years ago by a bystander.)

The purpose of including this photo here will be obvious in a few paragraphs.

The privilege of writing and speaking freely.

I spend considerable time writing, mostly on a novel I am trying to finish. Of late, however, I have agonized over whether I should share certain thoughts–on social media, within the pages of my novel's manuscript, and even with some of my friends. There is never a justification for hateful rhetoric or harmful statements, but everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, I'm usually hesitant to voice what I think and, the reason why frightens me.

The United States election looms less than a week from now and tensions are high. People are passionate about their views and anxious about what will happen, as am I. This post is not intended to pick a fight, but to air something that has been bothering me.

To write an excellent story, the author must raise the stakes.

This election has raised them plenty. There is a lot at stake for all of us, admittedly for some more than others. Our vote in this election is about how we want to be governed, as much or more than it is about the issues we defend.

A historical perspective.

Generalissimo Francisco Franco overthrew the Spanish democratic republic during the Spanish Civil War.  I lived in Spain during the end of General Franco's forty-year reign. Until shortly after Franco's death, no one dared utter his name on the street, fearing accusations of disloyalty. The days after he died were tense and scary, but Spain peacefully transitioned to a democratic monarchy under King Juan Carlos. A year or so later, one of my sisters, some schoolmates, and I were in a weekend sailing class off the island of Mallorca (I know, lucky us!) when Rey Juan Carlos and his daughters visited the port. Approachable, not frightening, the King posed for a group photo and chatted with all of us.  For me, as a young teenager, this friendly encounter marked a notable difference between a dictatorship and a democracy. Is America shifting direction? The political shift in Spain was a welcome change in that country.  The pronounced, sometimes hateful divisions between Americans with differing politics and threats of civil unrest are not a change for the better here. Neither is our increasing inability to share our opinions due to real or perceived potential consequences. Now, more than ever, many Americans shy away from political discussions with friends and family. However, unless we educate ourselves with all the facts and listen to each other, our democracy will remain at stake. If we don’t discuss our disagreements with maturity, the United States may become a place where we can’t speak freely, like Spain was during Franco’s forty years of power. Election campaign closing remarks. The closing campaign speech given last night by presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris made me hopeful. Wanting to share this optimism, I created an image this morning with a few of her quotes, intending to share it on social media. But then I lost my nerve. (Image by Susan Foster) My courage flagged. My thoughts ran rampant. Will I lose friends over this?  Will I lose potential readers? Is social media an inappropriate space to voice my views? Will there be a backlash? Hateful comments? But writers need to be brave. Too often, I hold back from sharing my views, afraid I will offend someone. But when done respectfully, shouldn't Americans be capable of having differing opinions, based on fact? Shouldn't we be able to disagree without putting relationships in jeopardy?  I want to live in a country where everyone cares about each other, despite our differences. I want to live where I can express my courteous opinions freely, without fear. I want a president we can respect and one who views all Americans as equal, without bias toward their gender, sexual orientation, race, abilities, finances, or political party.  It is my hope that Kamala Harris will win this election. For those who disagree with my opinions, I want to understand why they do and discover the common ground between our differing beliefs.  In the remaining few days before the election, and whatever the results, I hope we will all start “locking arms” and give others “a place at the table.”  Above all, let’s be kind.   Sometimes, the right thing to do is to speak up. And in the United States, we have the enormous privilege of being able to VOTE and make our voices count.