JK Rowling, whose comments on transgender rights have seen her shunned by many fans of her Harry Potter books, was among them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the letter but, listening to a followup radio interview with one, I was surprised they floated an idea that there is perhaps a generational difference in attitude towards freedom of speech.
As a millennial in my 20s, I fully support and will always defend the universal right to freedom of expression.
I would add that, though online shaming is a modern phenomenon, millennials did not invent so-called “cancel culture” – the boycotting of someone (usually a celebrity) for expressing an opinion that may dissent from a “norm”.
Astronomer Giordano Bruno, a far-sighted free-thinker, had the audacity to suggest that religions and philosophies should coexist intolerance and mutual understanding back in 1600. He was burned at the stake for expressing his views.
Humans have a long history of intolerance, but shutting down debate will only push people to express themselves elsewhere with calcified beliefs.
This story is from the July 11, 2020 edition of Daily Express.
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This story is from the July 11, 2020 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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