Guest newshost Nicole Henderson of Shane’s World Speaks Out

How many times after September 11th, have you heard someone say that if you don’t support this-or-that, then you are un-American? I have heard it more times than I would like to count and my take on that statement is that those people are grossly misinformed about what makes an American.

I am an American because I have the right to voice my opinion, vote for whom I want to be in office, write to my representatives, worship how I choose, work where I choose, and basically run my life in any direction I desire with no influence as to what I should do as either a woman, or a citizen. The main right that we are reminded of having, freedom of speech, is one of the many freedoms that we are supposedly fighting for. And yet, when I exercise that right, I am un-American.

Being an American means that I have the right and obligation to stand up for what I believe in, even if that is contrary to what everyone else thinks or says. I am showing my Patriotism by keeping a close watch on the government’s policies and practices so that my freedoms remain unchanged. Freedom requires eternal vigilance. We are a rule by the people, so therefore the people must use their voice and speak out on what they want. To me, un-American is to follow the crowd and be afraid of using your right to freedom of speech because you don’t want to be branded un-American. These people would rather be told what to do, instead of thinking independently and thoroughly.

So if you have an opinion about the United States’ war on terror, John Ashcroft’s war on “obscenity” or any other national issue, SPEAK OUT! The government protects our right to freedom of speech; so don’t let anyone tell you that exercising it is un-American. If you don’t use it now, who knows if THEY won’t take that, or other, rights away.