Appearing Tonight: Big Fat Dick

Questioning The True Extent Of Our Liberty

by Roland Kriewaldt

Let's say I have a tall, overweight friend named Richard, a singer with whom I want to form a new band. Considering the value we place upon our freedom of speech in a democratic society, would I have the freedom to name that band "Big Fat Dick"?

"Dick," is slang for both "Richard" and "penis." You can see the confusion that may arise...(sorry, I couldn't resist!) Is there, in fact, a ceiling on our free speech when no actual harm is done except in terms of how others react emotionally to our words? Subsequently, few words are left to safely utter that won't potentially offend others. "Love" may be offensive to the hateful. You see the problem?

When the mood strikes me, I say "fuck" a lot—an old habit I'm not trying to quit. I'm the same (wonderful?) person no matter what words I use to express myself, yet some are offended when I hit their "word tolerance" threshhold. For some it's the word "spiritual," for others it's "equality." And then they stop listening. And the flow of ideas stops, and so does their learning.

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Appearing Tonight: Big Fat Dick

Questioning The True Extent Of Our Liberty