When I first saw the topic, I was so confused and don't even know which one to go for. Truthfully, both are very important, are both rights to human existence.
But nevertheless I have to pick one, but the question is which one and why?
Well, talking about having a private life or privacy, I was raised in a family of eight, six children (three boys and three girls) with two parents, but it was an extended one because we had other relatives living with us.
Even though we had enough rooms to stay, but a room cannot be allocated to a person, all boys had to share a room while girls shared three. We were four in a room then, I was small during those times so I never really know what privacy meant. But as I started growing up I felt the need for being alone, even though we are all boys and we have nothing to hide, there are times in which I'll need privacy to focus or meditate on an issue.
I had no choice but to continue but it was killing me, I told my mum about having a room of my own because we still have two rooms left, one for visitors and vacant one. She totally disagreed with the decision which I also sucummed when she gave the reasons, ever since then I have tried to adapt to it.
This went on till I got admission and I was asked to live with my sister who was already there, I disagreed because not only because I needed privacy but she was a female, I really hate staying in the same room with someone not to talk of being an opposite, she was my elder sister, yes but still I never wanted it.
It was until when she graduated that I knew what privacy is, I felt like I was released from a bondage, I decide in me not to ever take in any roommate.
On the other hand, freedom of speech is so important, I mean how would I keep quiet even when am inconvenient.
A person cut off the freedom of speech is like a person in prison or bondage awaiting his death.
But does it really count in today's world, there are lots of people whose life has been cut shut for speaking out, is it not better to be alone than been murdered for fighting for your right.
Some years ago when the issue of END SARS happened on Nigeria, lots of activist and celebrities came out to protest and pour out their minds, even though it was a peaceful one, their blood were shared on the street while some were brutally injured.
We are in a world where it dangerous to fight for our right, none of our plea or protest could change the minds of the leaders, we are enslaved in our vineyard, it's so sad!
There's a saying that goes “To say nothing is saying something.” Sometimes it's better to stay silent, we encounter this from day to day. There are even times when you spoken words will be used against you while trying to speak up.
I'll rather be on my own, enjoying my privacy than Voice out for nothing!
