Be Thankful, But Keep On Dissenting

My classmate Mrs. Posluszny argues that there is a foul line concerning dissent in this country. I've read My Forbidden Face, and it is a heart wrenching depiction of life under autorcatic regime. But I believe judging one country against another is illogical.

The ability to voice dissent and dissaproval is exactly what Latifa yearned for, so the argument that there should be a foul line concerning it in this country seems hypocritcal. The majority of those who dissent in this country are not trying to rip the country to shreds or discredit democracy on the whole, but rather just have their voices and opinions heard. The idea behind our elective republican government is that every person will have their opinions heard and considered.

Dissent in this country is not an attack on the heoric principles that make it so glorious compared to Taliban Afghanistan. We march to the capital if we are unsatisfied. Publish a strongly worded editorial denouncing legislation. Call up our congressmen. Americans are not causing riots in the street, murdering legislators, or starting civil wars. No foul line has been crossed.

Granted, being a little more thankful never hurt anyone. Latifa faced extreme hardship under Taliban Afghanistan, and I acknowledge that I am very thankful America's political system is not similar to the Taliban's. But one of the main differentiating factors between the too is that while all dissent is shut up under the Taliban, here in America we are free to speak up when something's going wrong.