Dissent is "the expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held, " or "to hold or express opinions that are at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially expressed." (Oxford Languages) Throughout history, there has been a question if the right to protect dissent is appropriately used. From the beginning of the United States, when the Constitution was made, the right to dissent was assured. A person should have the right to have different opinions and beliefs that differ from the standard idea.
However, this idea of personal belief is not always implemented in the right way. As a natural right, liberty, the liberty to speak personal beliefs specifically, should mean that there are no boundaries as to what a person can speak. Often speaking out can result in repercussions that cause suffering and anguish to the speaker. True dissent would allow for any person to speak their mind with no harm coming to them. While our government promises free speech, many people are censored when talking about things the government doesn’t want to be said.
On the completely extreme side of the spectrum from dissent is Totalitarianism. The concept of totalitarianism is the government has complete and total control over all the citizens' lives, beliefs, etc.
However, there are some ways of being "protected." The First Amendment is supposed to give the ordinary person protection and the ability to have free speech and beliefs, which states, "abridging the freedom of speech .. right of the people to assemble peacefully." (First Amendment) As Professor Smith wrote in his blog, "our system is not supposed to be one of mob rule." (Smith) Dissent can take the form of peaceful protesting and have protection over one's rights and beliefs. The people should be able to protect our First Amendment, whether it be boycotting or protesting. As it starts in the preamble of our Constitution, "we the people" (Constitution) should use all of our tools and abilities to advocate for freedom, justice, and equality. People should support dissent because they are fighting for the rights of everyone and not sticking to what society says is right.
Sources:
Shiffrin, Steven H. “The Politics of Free Speech.” Dissent, Injustice, and the Meanings of America, Princeton University Press, 1999, pp. 121–30, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7s2x0.9
Smith, Prof. “Talking about Freedom.” Talking About Freedom, 1 Jan. 1970, fys1000.blogspot.com/.
“Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: Find DEFINITIONS, Translations, and Grammar Explanations at Oxford Learner's Dictionaries.” Oxford Learner's Dictionaries | Find Definitions, Translations, and Grammar Explanations at Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, 2021, www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/.
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