The Progressive Era

 The Antiwar Voices You Are Not Supposed to Hear

During World War I, dissenters who dared to speak out against U.S. involvement were labeled as un-American. Hundreds were jailed under the laws like the Espionage Act simply for expressing their views. That moment in history reminds us of how fragile our freedom of speech can become, especially in times of war. 

Fast forward to today, the U.S. is involved in many military operations around the world, like drones in the Middle East and military aid to Ukraine and Israel. But where are the critics? Where are the loud antiwar voices in the national conversations? 

To find them, I had to leave the mainstream media and dig into lesser-known websites like Antiwar.com and The American Conservative. These sites are filled with writing, some left-leaning and others deeply conservative, who speak out clearly against war. They question endless wars and demand accountability from our leaders. 

However, you will never hear this perspective from media sources like NBC or CNN. Why?

Dissent, especially about war, still makes people uncomfortable. Maybe it's because big media corporations depend on defense contractors for advertising dollars. Or perhaps it's because war sells, boosts ratings, stirs emotions, and fits every good vs. evil narrative. Therefore, antiwar voices are excluded despite being protected by the First Amendment. 

That's troubling. The whole point of free speech is to protect unpopular opinions, especially when they challenge power. During the World Wars, there were consequences for holding opposing opinions. Today, those opposing views are just ignored. 

Silence has consequences. There is no debate without dissent and a slow drift into more conflict. If we want to honor the First Amendment, we must protect the right to speak and be heard. That means making room for the uncomfortable questions and the inconvenient truths, as well as critics who say "no" when others say "yes." 

Antiwar voices still exist, but you must look for them; maybe this is the problem. 

Final Thoughts

If we have learned anything from history, silencing dissent, whether by force or omission, is dangerous. The First Amendment was written to protect the exact kind of speech that challenges power and authority. We must pay attention to the voices being ignored because they are also valuable. Seeking them out and hearing them is not just a personal choice but a civic responsibility.