Free to speak freely

Good for Jimmy Kimmel. Good for all of America, despite what only a few may believe.

The late-night host returned from suspension to his usual ABC time slot on Tuesday night. His monologue was full of humor, honesty, graditude, and necessary vulnerability and authenticity.

Free speech and freedom of the press are not exclusive to just one voice or one ideaology. They’re both freedoms that are given to everyone. Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be killed and, on a non-tragic scale, Kimmel did not deserve to be suspended for freely speaking their minds.

I am someone who works in both the arts and journalism, fields that are heavily connected to the First Amendment.

We are starting to lean toward the possibility of sedition acts once more with the recent threats of pulling broadcast licences and denying press access. These are threats to democracy. These are threats to being American by the very actors who have a delusional, outdated and hypocritical concept of what it is to be American.

To be a true artist, you must understand the philsophical underpinning of the field, not just exist in a trade and rely on talent.

To be a true journalist, you must honor the principles and functions of the field, and if not, you are just a poorly-trained imposter with a job title.

We can’t allow authoritative narcissits to challenge our rightful freedoms as Americans. And these messages are for all artists and all journalists for reflection, no matter their position.

Lastly, if you follow a leader as a false idol without a wavering thought, then you are not free, and you are only American by birthright and not ideologically.

And that message is to all Americans for reflection, no matter their position.