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STERLING HEIGHTS — According to Oakland University student Emma Bowen, through the power of positive words, “We believe in ourselves to do incredible things.”
And Bowen, 21, from Sterling Heights, experienced just one more example of that in her life when her essay on the topic recently won Oakland University’s first-ever Student Freedom of Speech Contest.
The university says the contest is all about “promoting constructive dialogue on the role of free speech in American government and society.” The theme asked applicants to respond to the question: “Is freedom of speech a necessity in order to have a healthy democracy?”
According to the university, 55 entries came from students who submitted diverse media on the subject, including essays, videos, artwork and poetry.
In her essay, Bowen linked free speech to not just democracy, but also its reform. She cited Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as examples of people whose speech changed the course of history.
“Words are so entangled in the human experience that we do not always stop to consider their significance — yet they are fundamental in allowing for change,” Bowen wrote.
“From soft whispers to roaring shouts, words have the power to challenge orthodoxies, inspire change, and completely revolutionize societies. Ultimately, the sway of both the spoken and written word, allowed for by freedom of speech, is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy.”
In an email, Bowen discussed what inspired her to enter the contest. She said she liked its accessibility and its encouragement of creative expression.
“I was inspired by how engaging the prompt was, as it truly got me thinking about the importance of freedom of speech to a healthy democracy and how I could best craft an argument in its favor,” she said.
Bowen also explained how she brainstormed the concepts in her essay, including tapping into her background as a psychology major.
“From the start, I knew I wanted to take a creative approach, so I started thinking about all the different lenses through which the power of words can be viewed,” she said. “As I wrote the piece, I drew from several areas that I found especially compelling, from history to science to psychology.”
At one point in her essay, she explains the idea of language empowerment, describing how words affect one’s psychological state and how the “language we use can dramatically alter our thoughts and behavior.”
According to the university, contest judges analyzed the entries based on criteria such as effectiveness, insights, examples, originality and genuine tone.
OU political science professor David Dulio, the director of OU’s Center for Civic Engagement, called the contest’s first year “an unqualified success” and noted how the university teamed up with state legislators, including contest judges Michigan Reps. Donni Steele and Brenda Carter.
“Both Rep. Steele and Rep. Carter are proponents of Oakland University and to have them involved as judges was a real treat,” Dulio said in a statement.
For winning the contest, Bowen got $2,000, as well as recognition from the state of Michigan. She said the experience of winning was an honor.
“As someone passionate about writing, one of my greatest hopes is that my words resonate with others,” she said. “Being recognized by lawmakers and the state of Michigan was an added surprise, and I am incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity.”
Learn more about Oakland University’s Center for Civic Engagement by visiting oakland.edu/cce.
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