When Dialogue Turns to Violence
Upon reading the news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, I felt an uneasy mix of shock and devastation. I wasn’t a follower or subscribe to his beliefs, but regardless of what one may think of his politics, the reality is he was silenced with bullets simply for his words. It is a chilling reminder that freedom of expression, something we often take for granted, can be shattered in an instant when violence becomes the response to speech.
For me, as a small blogger, this moment hit me hard and made me reflect on the vulnerability that we’re facing when we voice our opinions to the vast public. Although I do not possess the extensive platforms that public figures command, even in the small act of writing online, I can still feel the impact of this incident. To speak openly, to share perspectives, already entails some precautions. This gruesome incident presses the question: how precarious are the voices of those that are on the margins?
The Challenge of Opposing Views Beyond Politics
Free speech is more than just about a political slogan, debated in terms of left and right, or from any political spectrum. Fundamentally it’s about the ability to express your views and be heard without fear of harm. It is the foundation of any society that values thought, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas. When that foundation is threatened by censorship, intimidation and violence, the whole structure starts crashing down.
It does not mean we have to agree with everything we hear. In fact, it often asks the opposite of us: to tolerate ideas that are different to ours, even ones that make us uncomfortable and sometimes, offensive. To accept freedom of expression is to accept that voices unlike our own will also have their place, no matter which side you stand on. But tolerance does not mean silence. I fully stand by the notion that the same freedom that protects opposing views also protects our right to challenge them. Debate, critique and protest are part of the same ecosystem. What matters is that disagreement is responded through words, not through violence. To me, that is the true testament of a civilized society: not how it treats popular speech, but how it handles the speech we dislike most.
When voices are suppressed and dialogues are broken down, extremism gains ground. A society where disagreements are met with violence is a society where truth becomes fragile, and where only the loudest, most violent forces prevail. Therefore, we cannot afford to be stuck in a vacuum.
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
— Frederick Douglass
Writing from the Margins
I am often aware of the balance between honesty and exposure. There are moments when I hesitate before pressing “publish,” knowing that my words may be misunderstood or met with hostility. As someone from an ethnic minority background, I do not write with the safety net of invisibility. Every opinion carries the weight of being read not just as my view, but as a reflection of my community.
The purpose of this blog has always been to reflect honestly on the world through the lens of a British Chinese perspective, to explore culture, identity, belonging, and the challenges of speaking as a minority voice. Bringing people together and building mutual understanding with each other. I do not expect universal agreement from all readers and that’s fine, however, each post is a small act of defiance against the idea that only certain people are entitled to be heard. Otherwise we risk drifting into further division within society.
Choosing to Speak Despite Fear
The vulnerability makes me value freedom of expression even more deeply. To write openly is to risk criticism, but also to carve out space where our voices that are often overlooked in mainstream narratives can be heard. In this context, freedom of speech transcends being just an abstract concept; it becomes an essential part of our lives. When violence enters the picture, it is not just public figures who are threatened. It is every small voice, every blogger, every person daring to tell their story. And that, to me, is what makes moments like this so unsettling.
Whether you agree with his political views or not, Charlie Kirk’s death is a stark reminder of what is at stake and how valuable freedom of self expression is. It is a gift that must be exercised courageously and respectfully, before it is taken away entirely. We cannot control the actions of those who choose violence, but we can choose how we respond. That’s why it’s crucial for me to keep writing and adding my voice to the discourse, however small it may be and I hope others from our community will do the same too.
