Freedom of Speech
In Fall 2006, I realized how much of an impact writing can have on people. It began when the Houghton Mining Gazette published an article written by a local teacher titled "Foreign Flags in Houghton Unacceptable to Resident."
I was at a meeting with the Parade of Nations board when I stumbled upon this article. My mind flipped at the absurd, xenophobic statements and it actually being published by a trusted local press for people of all ages to read. I was enraged, restless, and disturbed. It just felt so wrong! I consoled with a few supporting people and forwarded a copy of the article to a bunch of student organizations and faculty. I encouraged them to voice out their thoughts. Since the article was published before school started, I wanted to make sure students were aware of the issue. A week later, I wrote a letter to the local press and forwarded that letter to as many email lists as I could. Of course, the local press did not reply to me. What I did receive, however, was something even greater.
My letter had reached a wide range of students, faculty members, local residents, out-of-state residents, and even people residing in other countries. For the next two months, I received an overflow of replies from readers. The letter was a voice for those who felt uncomfortable to speak up and the letter comforted those who felt discriminated. It touched me to know that people cared and that we all united despite our differences in color, country, culture, and beliefs.
Though over half a year passed, the letter still has a significance that I never thought it would. Last semester while a substitute instructor was taking attendance, she approached me and said thank you. I was confused until she mentioned the letter that I wrote and forwarded in early September 2006. She told me how much of a positive impact it had on her and people she knew. She continued that the letter was still a topic that popped up in conversations between faculty members. Throughout that year, I was approached by students and faculty members about the flag controversy and my letter.
Though Michigan Tech is an engineering school, it does not mean we have the excuse to say we do not need to know how to write that good. Knowledge is power, alright, but writing is what projects the power of knowledge. Our right to having freedom of speech isn’t just ranting what we feel but being able to write our thoughts, pass them down and create a ripple effect. Every time the letter has touched someone… I, too, feel touched.