Unveiling Soaring Ratings: “What is a Woman” Sheds Light on Free Speech Lessons

Source: Screenshot taken from The Daily Wire

• Matt Walsh’s documentary ‘What is a woman,’ now endorsed by Elon Musk, received raving reviews over the weekend

• 170 million people watched the documentary over the weekend

The immense power wielded by Twitter to amplify voices and ignite impassioned debates cannot be underestimated. In the past last couple of days we have witnessed the meteoric re-visiting of the thought-provoking documentary, entitled “What is a Woman,” which has captivated the Twitterverse with its profound exploration of gender identity and, what traditionalists say, is the glaring simplicity that enshrouds identifying womanhood. However, despite its resounding popularity, this documentary has encountered vehement opposition from the liberal left, initially leading to its unfortunate expulsion from the digital realm. 

Elon Musk intervenes 

After Twitter had promised to air the documentary for free, it was cancelled for misgendering individuals on two occasions. “In the film, a father refers to his 14-year-old daughter as ‘her,’ and a store owner uses the ‘wrong’ pronoun in a confrontation with a trans person,” said Jeremy Boreing (CEO of Daily Wire). 

Elon Musk later intervened by allowing the film to be screened for free on his platform. In addition, Musk promoted the film: 

What does the documentary unveil about society today?:

“What is a Woman” represents an audacious endeavor, fearlessly delving into gender identity during unprecedented times. In a society where  politicians and leaders grapple with ever-evolving conceptions of gender, this documentary dares to traverse uncharted terrain, aspiring to satirically and sophisticatedly foster dialogue with mainstream ideologues. 

The documentary challenges the leftist woke agenda, boldly shining a light on the devastating experiences of Scott Newgent, an individual who was born a woman, transitioned and later de-transitioned. In the documentary, Newgent expresses the numerous medical complications she endured, her post-transitioning regret (explaining how she feels like she will die very soon and that a person cannot change who they really are). This coincides with the following study Detransition: a Real and Growing Phenomenon | SEGM which contends with the popular mainstream narrative that ‘most people detransition due to discrimination’. As we see, 70% detransitioned as they realised their Gender Dysphoria was related to other factors. The study consist of 237 participants, 92% were female by birth, post- detransitioning, 60% said they required help with dealing with the regret of transitioning and on average, most participants detransitioned 5 years post surgery.

Newgent is now fighting to safeguard children, claiming that children should not be experimented on in this manner. There are similar correlations to Newgent’s story with Catt Cattinson https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11476733/Woman-detransitioned-speaks-against-gender-affirmation-treatment.html

Twitter: Catalyst of Intense Discourse:

As the documentary garnered unprecedented traction on Twitter, it swiftly became a catalyst for fervent and often contentious debates surrounding the documentary. The platform’s 280-character limitation proved to be fertile ground for both ardent supporters and fervent detractors to passionately express their viewpoints. 

The documentary has nonetheless been warmly welcomed with it being the most viewed film on the weekend, generating 170 million views on Twitter. Furthermore, it also received great reviews on the reviewing website for film and television- Rotten Tomatoes.

The Banishment: A Tale of Censorship or Pragmatic Caution?

The banishment of the “What is a Woman” documentary evokes intricate questions concerning the correlations between free speech and the spectre of censorship. Detractors argue that the removal of the documentary constitutes a direct infringement upon the right to express diverse perspectives, stifling the much-needed conversation surrounding gender identity. They contend that such acts of censorship fundamentally undermine the democratic principles upon which our society is built.

On the contrary, many opponents of the film expressed that Twitter bears a profound responsibility to curb hate speech and prevent the dissemination of harmful content. They argue that the ban on the documentary represents a necessary measure, enacted to safeguard the marginalised LGBTQ community. 

However, many traditionalists who oppose this view would argue that right wing activists and people of Abrahamic faiths adhering to traditional values are having their voices silenced in the mainstream discourse. 

The Paradox of free speech

The paradoxical aspect of free speech can be seen with the existence of double standards in its application. Free speech, considered a cornerstone of democratic societies, should ideally be upheld impartially and without bias towards those who are left-leaning. A closer examination reveals a troubling pattern of inconsistencies and unequal treatment when it comes to the documentary’s initial ban and many opposers of the film. 

Many critics argue that much hypocrisy can be seen when there is effective silencing of dissenting voices on the subject of gender identity. They contend that if the documentary had aligned with prevailing narratives or enjoyed the support of influential groups, it might have been allowed to thrive on all mainstream outlets. This disparity in treatment exposes a disconcerting discrepancy in safeguarding the principle of free speech, eroding its integrity.

Musk allowing free speech 

Elon Musk’s move to support the documentary on the formidable and colossus social media platform Twitter is a victory for free speech and for alternative voices to be heard. The existence of double standards in free speech undermines the principles of equality and fairness, impeding genuine progress and understanding. When certain viewpoints are systematically silenced or marginalized, the opportunity for meaningful dialogue diminishes, hindering the ability to challenge and expand collective knowledge.

The strength of a society lies in its capacity to confront and address issues through open and respectful discourse, even when opinions diverge. It is only then that we, as a society, will be able to derive the truth. 

However, it is worth noting that upon his acquisition of Twitter, Elon Musk declared himself a staunch advocate of “free speech absolutism.” It is imperative to recognise that as Muslims we comprehend the distinction between free speech and hate speech. Consequently, the pursuit of truth, extrapolated through the realms of academia and intellectual discourse, conducted with utmost respect, does not encompass the act of insulting esteemed Prophets through illustrations or derogatory language. In addition, Muslims are commanded by Allah not to insult the God(s) of others.