Kids say the darndest things. They say what they want, when they want, to whom they want, and pretty much get away with it. In fact, we excuse them because they are kids. And, we defend them because we believe they don’t really know or understand what they are saying, which is true, most of the time.

We gradually ‘lose’ some of the freedom, the privilege to speak our minds when we become adults or when we are supposedly old enough to know better. We stop saying what we really want to or actually mean. We veer towards being polite and spout politically correct terms and phrases.

It’s not all bad. We haven’t become walking, talking robots or zombies. Far from it.

In fact, there is nothing wrong in considering other people’s feeling and being polite when voicing our thoughts and opinions. The way we speak and behave reflects our upbringing, which is good.

As adults, we exercise a measure of self-censorship.  It is almost inherent in our psyche. We generally know what to say, how to say and who to say it to, most of us anyway.  For instance,  we censor what we tell our parents. All the boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, we conveniently skip.  We avoid or forget to include, and we fib or water down information when it suits us or if it means not hurting or being unpleasant to a friend or family.

I believe in freedom of thought, speech and action. I speak my mind. I have views and opinions about most things.  Things that matter to me, I stand up for and be heard.  And yet, I self-censor. Yes, I delete, cut and paste my thoughts and words.  I edit what I don’t want to share; kinder, safer words I use when I don’t want to be harsh and I agree to disagree when discussing a flammable topic.  What I can live with, I do.

I don’t believe in inciting, insinuating and demeaning just because I think I can. I have a built-in social and moral barometer that stops me from making derogatory remarks and poking fun at the disadvantaged, disabled, the persecuted and people who are sick or terminally ill.

“When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind." - Dr Wayne W. Dyer

In the name of freedom of speech, I wonder if it is our personal right to write, act and present sensitive, seemingly funny and provocative stories, information and pictures that are more likely than not to cause hurt, grief, anger and chaos in communities and countries.

Right or kind?

“Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.” R.J Palacio