Able Quote by Jimmy Wales
“My view is that good community management is like having good municipal government: You should be able to have dissenting opinions and so on, freedom of speech, but your grandmother should also be able to walk down the street at night without having to worry about getting mugged.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2022 interview on community management, Wikimedia Foundation
Effective community governance balances free speech with safety, ensuring dissent is allowed without threatening personal security.
In simple terms: Balance openness with safety in communities.
Prioritize safety while protecting dissent.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- online forums
- neighborhood watch
- public policy
- digital platforms
- local governance
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect both speech and safety?
- How can dissent be encouraged responsibly?
Over‑emphasis on safety may stifle legitimate dissent.