Thank you,
this topic is of importance and I want to add something to it. I apologize in advance for the length of my comment. But I want to get it out.
I do think that free speech is actually something which pleases my inward world. To talk about theoretically is reasonable.
I would say to get the courage in my daily life where I meet people this matter comes into real being. What I need are examples of you where you opened your mouth and risked something. I actually need it from all people to become aware of the fact that humanity is not going downwards. I am sick of this talk about men on the verge of extinction. Which is here being said in the comments.
Confirmation won't do it. When I confirm you about what you say is right, it's nice. But what would make it more valuable are examples of real interactions and encounters where someone openly speaks of an experience where free speech actually had happened and had done something good.
That's why I talk about mine.
Years ago when I started working for a social institution as a trainee (within my third education) my boss excluded me from the staff meetings because I was not a member of the established team. I was dissatisfied because I thought of me being exploited. I had to run the reception, got different duties and tasks to deliver, acted as a full member for all visitors and clients, organized, managed and put all my professional knowledge of my former career into my work. Nevertheless, I was not allowed to participate in the weekly meeting which I thought was needed to complete my traineeship.
At a certain point, I decided to talk to my boss. I brought forward my complaint. I also said that I no longer wanted to deal with room inquiries because I didn't think that my volunteer work would have to cover this and that I was there to learn something and not just serve as a workload relief for everyone. She rejected me in all aspects.
Then I was thinking of a strategy how to become a respected member and what she would need from me in order to accept my demands. I wrote a summary of my so far made experiences, I included all aspects of my work, the good ones, and the not so good ones. I told her that I will report my text to my academy which was at that time, my theoretical educator. I sent her my text through e-mail.
Then we had another talk. She still had some objections and I was listening to her. I answered what I thought was reasonable. She told me also that I am this kind of person who has a great sense of responsibility and entrepreneurship thinking but this causes often difficulties when people think of me that I step over borders. She told me that another boss would actually have me fired. I said: Yes, I know that. I am aware that I am this kind of person but on the other hand it gives you some advantages along with some disadvantages.
From then on I was invited to all staff meetings. She never really said "Yes, okay, you are right and I am wrong." She never asked me personally to come. It was delivered to me by my colleagues. But I knew from then on that she is respecting me. Later, after my education was finished she hired me. I am still working there for one day a week as a freelancer.
It was very risky to speaking my mind.
I would like hearing from you an example, as well. :)
In simple terms, I was inbetween management and employees as a volunteer union representative.
Employees were happy I spoke what was right... until management came walking around the corner. One employee was talking privately with me, and indepth and soon as he saw the manager, he basically said:
"@intelliguy! Stop talking to me about the union! I am not interested!"
I was shocked. After the manager left, he said "sorry about that, I just can't be seen talking to you"
That is when I learned... when it comes to freedom of speech, everyone decides for themselves when, where, and how it happens.
So when you ask:
I risked my job. I risked my eligibility for career advancement. I risked my friends. I risked everything being in that position Speech was the important part of all of it.\
The risk I took while being hated by both management and employees alike helped both sides even if I was the victim of the inefficiencies of the union role and targeted by it.
So yes, I've been in similar situations before.
...after explaining this to you, if you still doubt my capability about talking about this subject, then I can offer nothing more.
I don't know you and I don't doubt your capability.
I asked for encouragement through an example.
Now you have given one.
You don't have to like me and it seems you felt offended by me taking your thoughts out of the theoretical realm into a practical one. That is a risk I took. Consider that other people who do not comment could appreciate getting examples out of ordinary peoples lives.
I would like to get an encouraging meaning from what you experienced - so far I don't get the message of what positive you got out of your interventions.
The positive message is that when it negative things like this happen, you don't prevent yourself from standing up for what you believe in and continue to do similar things again in the future.
Which is what I did again today, in this blog post. :)
It just "seems" that way. I'm not offended.
Alright. For a moment I thought it was not worth taking all the risks for the gain of the others. ;-)
The gain of others can be the gain of yourself too in the long run.
If injustices are corrected it ends up being a better place to live for everyone.