I can't state it for a fact, but I may be the most conservative writer on Provoketive. That being said, I love the opinions that are shared here. I don't always agree with my fellow writers, but I would die for their rights to share their opinions.

All of us have the absolute right to share our opinions. The freedom we have to express our opinions is guaranteed by the Constitution. And the suppression of any of any person's rights is the suppression of all of our rights.

I was surfing the glorious Internet tonight and came across Garth Brooks' song, "We Shall Be Free." This year is the 2oth anniversary of that song. Let me give a disclaimer. I cannot stand country music. I would rather listen to someone scrape their nails across a blackboard for 24 hours than listen to "Red Solo Cup" by Toby Keith one more time. I even live less than an hour from Nashville and can say that.

That being said, Garth Brooks' song, "We Shall Be Free" was a very controversial song in 1992. It wasn't written by him, but after seeing the L. A. Riots, he took it to heart and recorded it. It became a song that decried against intolerance for many things.

For a man like Garth Brooks, it was a huge thing. He was at the pinnacle of his career. He had the attention of the Bible Belt, the South, and much of the country. He had a sellout crowd wherever he went and if he wanted to, all he had to do was sing, "Friends in Low Places" and wear his headset and cowboy boots and make a fortune. But that wasn't enough.

Set the stage for Super Bowl XXVII. He was asked to sing the national anthem. He agreed to do it, but he told NBC that he wanted them to air his video for "We Shall Be Free" as well. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ0DXLm5pd4

For 1992, it was hugely controversial. He was taking to task topics like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Shall_Be_Free">homophobia, world hunger, racism, and freedom of religion</a>. NBC balked and told him they wouldn't air it. He walked out of the stadium. That's a man of principle. Finally, at the last minute, they made a deal to air part of the video later.

A video like that today would have been aired with no problem. The network executives wouldn't have batted an eye. But back in 1992, there was a war going on. Not just on the ground, but of values and sensitivity.

I don't always agree with my fellow writers here, but I stand by their right to say whatever they want. And here, I stand by a man like Garth Brooks who stood firm in his resolve. A man who had millions in his bank account yet knew there was something larger on the horizon. He saw suffering in the world and used his voice to make sure people heard him. He knew people would listen if he spoke.

The point? Use your voice. People won't always agree, and that's fine. Every person in this world has the capacity to make their own mind up. They have the same resources everyone else does. Everyone has a story and a right to speak. The truth will always come to be known in the end. So be bold, be loud and be courageous.

Know what is right by digging deep and being sure. And in the end, stand for truth.

Endnotes: <em>"We Shall Be Free" won video of the year at the 1993 Academy of Country Music Awards; It was also played during Obama's inaugural celebration.</em>