The Courage Deficit

In a world where the power to express oneself freely is increasingly under threat, courage has become a rare and cherished commodity. We have been conditioned to submit to our adversaries out of fear, allowing them to dictate the boundaries of our thoughts and words. But if we are to reclaim our voices and restore the fundamental right of free speech, we must find the strength to stand up against those who seek to silence us.

A significant aspect of my job involves not only developing tools to safeguard free speech, but also employing my own free speech to vocalize thoughts that many others harbor but are unable to express. My aim is to empower them by demonstrating that not only can they articulate these ideas openly, but also that they have a moral obligation to do so while they still have the chance.

This is crucial because the time is swiftly approaching when the right to express these thoughts freely will be irrevocably lost forever. As Brazil blanket bans entire social media platforms and the UK throws people in jail for social media posts we must realize that free speech for the free world is hanging on by a thread and that thread is the 1st Amendment in the United States.

Unfortunately that thread is slowly slipping away. The enemies of free speech are all too evident in the current landscape. They are the corporations and governments that collude to censor and suppress dissenting opinions, the media outlets that peddle propaganda and lies, and the cultural elites who seek to impose their wicked values on the masses. These entities have grown increasingly bold in their efforts to control the narrative, using their immense power and influence to quash any form of expression that deviates from their narrow, conformist agenda.

But what has happened to us? Why have we allowed ourselves to be cowed into submission by these forces? The answer lies in the gradual erosion of our courage over time. We have been conditioned to believe that speaking our minds is a risky endeavor, that we will be punished for daring to think differently or challenge the status quo. We have been taught to fear the consequences of expressing ourselves freely, to prioritize our safety and comfort over the pursuit of truth and justice.

This fear has been instilled in us through a variety of means. We have been bombarded with stories of individuals who have lost their jobs, their reputations, and even their lives for daring to speak out against the prevailing narrative. We have been subjected to a constant barrage of shaming and intimidation tactics designed to silence us and keep us in line. We have been told, both implicitly and explicitly, that our opinions are not welcome, that we are not entitled to a platform to express ourselves. They told us if we didn’t like their censorship that we could “build our own” platforms. From the moment we did that they sought to destroy them.

But if we are to break free from this cycle of fear and submission, we must find the courage to stand up and fight back. We must recognize that our right to free speech is not a privilege to be granted or withheld by others, but a fundamental human right that must be defended at all costs. We must understand that the only way to ensure that our voices are heard is to speak out boldly and unapologetically, even in the face of adversity.

This is not an easy task. It requires a level of bravery that many of us have lost over time. But it is a necessary one if we are to reclaim our autonomy and restore the balance of power in the world. We must be willing to take risks, to put ourselves out there, and to face the consequences of our actions head-on. We must be prepared to stand up for what we believe in, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient to do so.

But the rewards of this courage are immeasurable. When we speak our minds freely and unapologetically, we empower ourselves and those around us to do the same. We create a culture of openness, honesty, and transparency that allows for genuine dialogue and understanding. We break down barriers and build bridges, fostering a sense of unity and common purpose that can only come from a shared commitment to truth and justice.

So let us take heart in the knowledge that we are not alone in this struggle. There are countless others out there who share our values and our desire for a world where free speech is not just a hollow promise, but a lived reality. Let us stand together, united in our courage and our determination to fight for what is right.

The path ahead may be difficult, and the challenges we face may seem insurmountable at times. But we must not lose hope. We must remember that every great change in history has been brought about by the courage and resilience of those who dared to dream of a better world, and who were willing to fight for it with everything they had.

So let us take a stand. Let us speak out boldly and unapologetically, and let us show the world that courage is not dead, but is alive and well in the hearts of those who refuse to be silenced. For it is only through the power of our voices, united in courage and conviction, that we can hope to build a world where free speech is not just a right, but a reality.

Andrew Torba
CEO, Gab.com
Christ is King

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