These powerful words echoed across debates today as artists, activists, and educators reacted sharply to recent crackdowns on creative expression. The outcry follows a spate of incidents where cultural programs were abruptly cancelled, murals whitewashed, or performances labeled “anti-national.” Many see this as a chilling trend toward silencing dissent and sanitizing art. Critics warn that when culture is viewed through a lens of suspicion or control, it stifles dialogue, erodes empathy, and threatens the very fabric of democracy. The message is clear: without freedom of thought and artistic expression, the human spirit suffers — and so does society.