Jackson Free Press

Ah, the First Amendment: freedom of speech—that little inalienable right that we all have and that we all have invoked. Clearly some of us don't really understand what it means. Nor do we understand the responsibility that comes with it.

Some folks lean on it like a crutch. Others hold it up as a shield. Still others retreat to it for refuge. Regardless, our right to speak freely separates us from many other countries. It's why we're great. But I wonder why some of us are confused by it.

This column is not about taking a side. Hopefully, it can create a dialogue—one that I think is much needed in this country, especially when historic events happen like those of the past week.

Osama Bin Laden is dead. His killing has evoked the gamut of emotions in Americans on all sides of the issue: those who celebrated Bin Laden's death and those who were vehemently against any outward displays of joy. Some say his killing is justice for 9/11, while some are skeptical of the events that surrounded the tragedy a decade ago.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall found out that freedom of speech can land you in hot water. His Twitter comments following Bin Laden's death raised the ire of a lot of football fans. "What kind of person celebrates death?" he tweeted. "It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side."

It even made the team president (and Mendenhall's boss) Art Rooney II issue a statement.

Does cheering the death of an evil man make you barbaric? Does denouncing those cheers or disputing the events of 9-11 make you un-American? Does supporting the government unconditionally make you naive? Or does questioning the government make you a traitor? Where is the line drawn on one's opinion?

Freedom of speech is just that: the freedom to speak freely without the fear of persecution. In some countries you can be killed for your comments. But while you are highly unlikely to be arrested for what you say in America, some folks don't understand that freedom of speech doesn't absolve you of consequences. You still have bosses, constituents, family and, in the case of Mendenhall or any other public figure, fans that you have to answer to. You can't use freedom of speech as an excuse to make outlandish, unfounded statements or insults about others or your country.

You won't get locked up, but you could very well be fired, blackballed or, even worse, get your butt kicked pretty good for it.

As far as free speech goes, this debate will rage on. How are we to freely comment on our president, politicians and policy without being vilified? How can we learn to criticize, in love, without retribution? How can we show support for people, places and ideologies without being attacked?

Will we never get to that point?

How will future generations handle these rights that our forefathers placed before us?

Osama Bin Laden's death has challenged us again to examine our opinions on this issue. Is it freedom of speech or watch what you say?

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.