America Quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower
![“We have got to fight it [Communism] with something better, not try to conceal the thinking of our own people. They are part of America. And even if they think ideas that are contrary to ours, their right to say them, their right to record them, and their right to have them at places where they are…” quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/604/dwight-d-eisenhower-499_america_we-have-got-to-fight-it-communism-with-s_966648.jpg)
“We have got to fight it [Communism] with something better, not try to conceal the thinking of our own people. They are part of America. And even if they think ideas that are contrary to ours, their right to say them, their right to record them, and their right to have them at places where they are accessible to others is unquestioned, or it isn't America.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the American People, 1955
America must protect free speech, even for dissenting ideas, as a core democratic principle.
In simple terms: Free speech must be protected for all.
Key Takeaway
Defend the right to express differing opinions.
Themes
freedom
democracy
tolerance
Mood
serious
determined
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political debate
- media
- education
Key Concepts
civil liberties
public discourse
national identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect speech while limiting harm?
- What responsibilities accompany free expression?
A Different Perspective
Balancing free speech with preventing hate speech is complex.
![“When you look back at the fight against Communism, one thing that is striking is the degree to which we [the United States] were carried on by our own values. One of the real challenges of the new era is going to be to maintain those values and not adopt those of our adversaries.” quote by David E. Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e1e/david-e-hoffman-43835_adversaries_when-you-look-back-at-the-fight-against_757896.jpg)
![“[we are] going to continue to fight communism. Now I am going to tell you how we are not going to fight communism. We are not going to transform our fine FBI into a Gestapo secret police. That is what some people would like to do. We are not going to try to control what our people read and say and…” quote by Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/299/harry-s-truman-898_cold-war_we-are-going-to-continue-to-fight-commun_1590230.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
