Freedom

 “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” 

— Barry Goldwater

We’ve grown used to fearing extremes. We fear being too passionate, too direct, too sharp. The word extremism has become frightening — it's slapped onto anything that crosses the boundaries of what’s comfortable, approved, or moderate.

Moderation, on the other hand, sounds like wisdom. Like maturity. But is it? Sometimes, moderation is just a polite word for surrender.

And extremism — it isn’t always violence. Sometimes, it’s conviction. Refusal to be silent. Willingness to be inconvenient.

Not everything done in the name of freedom is truly free. Just as North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) misuses the word democratic, others misuse freedom to justify control, exclusion, even repression. Some who call themselves freedom fighters are really defenders of domination. That’s why clarity matters. Language matters. Because there can be no freedom for the enemies of freedom.