Title: Do Ask, Do Tell: Speech is a Fundamental Right; Being Listened to Is a Privilege
Author: Bill Boushka
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1493160105
Pages: 324
Genre: Politics & Social Sciences / Philosophy
Reviewer: Tony Espinoza
Pacific Book Review
In today’s world, there has never been a more relevant topic in the United States than the question of free speech and the rights it affords. For so long people’s ability to say what they wanted has been a topic of debate, with lines being drawn in the sand and questions of how far is too far coming to light. Yet no matter what side of the aisle a person falls onto, it has always been accepted that a person’s right to free speech is truly a right, while getting people to listen to a person’s words is more of a privilege instead, and not a given.
While it could not have been predicted how relevant this topic would become, author Bill Boushka’s Do Ask, Do Tell: Speech is a Fundamental Right; Being Listened to Is a Privilege, shows readers the long-term struggles of that right while also exploring topics of individualism and policies such as the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell military policy that impacted LGBTQ members of the U.S. military. The idea of how individualism can impact a person’s responsibility to family and family values also comes into question, and the book is divided into a collection of non-fiction essays and fictional short stories.
The blend of writing styles in this book was so unique and greatly appreciated. The non-fiction section of writing really did an incredible job of conveying the lessons and examples for each lesson that the author experienced throughout their life. The first half of the book reads like a memoir, with the author bringing to life the experiences of childhood and beyond to explore topics of identity and individualism. The author covered ideas like marriage equality and its impact on family responsibility, to the impact of broadcasting yourself to the world in some form or another, to entering one’s elder years and what a person’s responsibility to carrying for elderly relatives really is, and in doing so found a unique balance both politically and socially that conveyed intricate and thoughtful debate amongst readers.
Readers who enjoy a blend of non-fiction essays and memoirs with fictional short stories and powerful themes will find this book truly engaging. The attention to detail and powerful thought that the author gave to the book’s themes of individualism, identity, and family responsibility was incredible, and the way the book felt very conversational at times allowed me to connect with the author in a more profound way. The short stories themselves were well developed and found a way of packing an emotional and thought-provoking punch that hits so many resonating notes even to this day, especially in the story Expedition and its exploration of strip mining on the Earth. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.
