Michael Franti Quotes

In the barbershop, there's democracy. You're a professor; you're an engineer; you're a garbage man, have at it. You got something to say, get down with it.

I'm in the civil discourse business. I think it takes all kinds. And more power to everybody.

People should be respected for the strength of their convictions, and I also believe in freedom of expression.

We must protect the right of our opponents to speak, because we must hear what they have to say.

Not all ideas will be accepted, but every idea deserves its own space, and every idea deserves to be expressed.

While the protection of speech is at the bedrock of our democracy, it's critical as a nation that we exercise our right every day - and that includes embracing and engaging with those we may not agree with.

Whatever differences we have, tolerating others' opinions is a prerequisite to a functioning and free society.

One of the hallmarks of higher education and of democracy is the ability to converse with people with whom we disagree.

Everybody has their opinion. I respect anything that anybody has to say.

You don't have true freedom until you allow a diversity of opinion and a diversity of voices.

I am absolutely opposed to political correctness. You cannot confront hate speech until you've experienced it. You need to hear every side of the issue instead of just one.

I think the reason these readers come back to me is because I represent their points of view. It may not be my point of view, but that's OK. Everyone still deserves to have their say.

I think it's a good thing to have a lot of voices in the media, and I think, you know, let all flowers bloom.

It is clear that not in one thing alone, but in many ways equality and freedom of speech are a good thing.

Freedom rings where opinions clash.

Our right to disagree is precious but fragile. The best way to protect and preserve it is to let the other side speak without demonizing them or destroying their right to be heard. Such civil exchanges are the heart beat of democracy - essential to keeping it alive.

I think people have a right to their point of view.

Let's not demonize people who don't happen to agree with us.

The recent ghastly strife and anger over the Danish cartoons shows the danger that comes from our failure to listen and to respect what is precious and sacred to others.

America is great precisely because it is an open society, and an open society recognizes that nobody is the ultimate arbiter — and that we may be wrong at times, even if we are powerful. We must be open to criticism and respect divergent and different views and interests.

Freedom of expression is the foundation of a civil society …. This will come.

The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions.

We need less political correctness and more political courage.

I think we have gone too far into the PC culture, but there's a limit to how far we can take that.

We need to respect free speech, but we need to respect one another's rights to free speech, too.