Do you remember outlaw comic Bill Hicks? If you do not, I am very sorry – please look him up at your convenience and be amazed by the power of the man’s brilliance. If you do remember him, chances are you also remember The Letterman Incident; a profound act of cowardly censorship committed by a man with the power to help change the world through his media presence (before the age of social media). Again, if you are not aware, please look it up – and be prepared to be very disappointed in Mr. Letterman – I was so disappointed, I stopped watching.

Believe it or not, my purpose is not Letterman-bashing. Bill Hicks, brokenhearted by the censorship and dying of recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer, turned this moment into something great. Refusing to be silenced, he penned a 39 page letter on the incident before embarking on his last comedy tour, performing as often as possible the very act Letterman locked away. AND THE CROWDS LOVED IT. When Bill left this world, he left knowing he had impacted thought with his parting gift.

Free Speech is very expensive. It requires vigilance, dedication and responsibility; since you never know who is listening or how they will be impacted by your words, it is important they be authentic, true and appropriate to your true self. And while there are occasions when discretion is the better part of valor, a true voice is the best part of valor.

Stand up and speak out are the big lessons Bill Hicks left behind. If he could do it with his last breaths, what is stopping you?

((For more on Bill Hicks, please see: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1993/11/01/the-goat-boy-rises))