“Lincoln was a tyrant, Hitler was a hero” is a sentence that can be said by someonewho does not wish to understand history or the perception of most people. The idea of perceptions can, in fact, be dangerous.

Lebanon is a plate full of different perceptions and with the right mindset, this can be okay. 

Democracy shouldn’t be about controlling the majority, but rather about debating an idea, a theme or atopic, and getting to a solution. This is what should happen. However, censorship is still alive and well. 

Who draws the limits between what and who gets censored? Should censoring even be considered?

Well, censoring gives us two things: fear and bravery. Fear from the ones who censor; terrified by mere words. Bravery from the ones who speak up the magic language of Freedom. Manyargue that this type of liberty could divide people, become too extreme - Nazi-like perhaps, or be completely false. This proves that there is a reason behind censorship.

Should it be eliminated then? It depends on how each one of us thinks. Both sides I'd argue would be in fact right and wrong. We wouldn’t be having this debate in the first place if we censored each other, would we? There is beauty in having debates! It is one of the pillars of democracy. There is nothing wrong in being mistaken or thinking differently at a certain point in our lives. What is horrible is to not let new ideas flow inside us and to not admit that we are wrong, or, even worse, to not be able to accept the critics of someone and censor them for it. If you think your opinion is the right one, why not debate it and bring the logical structured arguments to the table? Wouldn't that at least make your "opponent" understand you and even emphasize with you?

However, disrespect is not how things should be. We have to wield this power with maturity. Do not hate, for we have seen what hatred has done in the past and what it still continues to do to this country. Colleagues, friends, compatriots, we live in times where the curse of hate is used to fuel anger and steel to the hands of some. We should not fall under the pressure of hate. In fact, we need to stand firm.

Freedom of speech is a right we get at birth, and it shouldn’t be taken away from us later on throughout our lives. The chains get old, overused, and thin against freedom. The only sensible way to fight this is not with hate, but rather with endurance, love, respect, resilience, and hope.