Freedom of Speech & Labeling
A question has been bothering me for quite a long time: do we really share the freedom of speech when people on the Internet try to label us in all kinds of ways?
I have encountered labeling multiple times in my life when I try to present my ideas on the Internet. Most of the time, I was not even targeting controversial social topics but only sharing thoughts regarding my own life experience. However, strangers on the Internet would automatically assume I have specific purposes to achieve and put labels on me that would make my intention negative. For example, they would label me an extreme feminist when I say it might be more rational to make tampons and pads free because the period is already a burden for females. My intention is only to share some thoughts as a woman who suffered from my biological nature. Still, they would recognize me as someone who wanted to raise gender opposition, which blurred my initial attempt and marked my opinions as a conspiracy.
Another example is more absurd to some extent. When I share some of the photos I took while studying abroad, people accuse me of not loving my country and am a betrayer of my home. This kind of accusation made me think a lot before each post. I am forced to consider if any of my comments would offend other people and attract unwanted labeling.
Does freedom of speech exist when I have to think it over to ensure the contents I post are suitable for everyone? I hope the current internet environment will get better and people can stop LABELING and sabotage other’s FREEDOM OF SPEECH.