Many protesters do not want to debate groups like Turning Point USA because debate requires them to explain their ideas clearly. When a person is confident in their beliefs, they are willing to talk, listen, and answer questions. But when someone is unsure of how strong their ideas really are, debate feels frightening. It can expose weaknesses they are not ready to face. It is easier to silence a voice than to defend a belief that might not survive simple, honest questions.
As the old saying goes, “The louder someone yells, the weaker their argument often is.”
The recent events at the University of California, Berkeley showed this very clearly. When Turning Point USA held its rally, hundreds of protesters gathered outside. Many were angry before the event even started. Some shouted that the group was “spreading hate,” and one protester told the press, “We cannot let voices like this get a platform on our campus.” Liberal-leaning news outlets repeated this idea, describing the event as harmful rather than debating the issues. Instead of challenging ideas with facts, they treated the presence of differing opinions as a danger.
This is where the importance of free speech becomes clear. A famous quote often attributed to the philosopher Voltaire says, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This is the heart of a free society. You do not have to agree with someone in order to allow them to speak. In fact, protecting speech you disagree with is the true test of freedom.
History shows that when people are afraid of open discussion, they often turn to silencing rather than reasoning. In the early nineteen thirties, leaders in Germany refused to debate anyone who disagreed with them. They shut down newspapers, banned other political groups, and punished critics. They acted this way because their ideas were built on lies and hate. Open debate would have exposed the truth, and they were afraid of that. Strong ideas welcome questions. Weak ideas hide from them.
We see something similar today when protesters shout down speakers rather than discuss issues. It rarely shows moral courage. More often, it reveals fear. People who know they stand on truth are not afraid of words. People who are unsure often are.