Silenced for Speaking My Mind: Why TikTok Suspensions Prove We Need Decentralized Platforms

Every time I get suspended from TikTok, it just reinforces how vital decentralized platforms are for protecting free speech. To be fair, I can be pretty aggressive in my streams—I curse, I’m outlandish, and honestly, I just don’t give a fuck sometimes. That’s how I was raised. In my family’s home, everyone speaks firmly, and some of us curse like pirates.

Growing up in a Peruvian–Puerto Rican household, speaking my mind has always felt natural. Yes, we value respect and decorum, but it feels like mainstream platforms have taken “political correctness” to an extreme.

Today, I had a strong stream, but—unsurprisingly—I got suspended again, likely for using the word retard and saying fuck a few times. During TikTok debates, things can get heated. And even when we're having productive conversations, using terms like retard or faggot—even in an educational or sociological context—can get you instantly suspended.

To me, this all feels like a form of social engineering. These platforms push us to conform to their so-called “community guidelines,” but in reality, it's just another way to exert control over public discourse and culture.

Don’t get me wrong—I understand the value of respect and civility. But sometimes, people need to vent. They need to express raw emotion without constantly fearing repercussions for what many would consider minor infractions.

It's all simply retarded now.