What is Democracy?

A fellow classmate and I were discussing some political matters, and truth be told, I could care less what he had to say. Then I asked him what democracy really meant and he said "freedom of speech by the people," I responded by asking "exactly what people?" He then stated "exactly." With the "Compton Cookout" ignorance and claiming bullshit freedom of speech nonsense, I ask you all what people truly have this so- called "FREEDOM OF SPEECH?" A serious question. Who has the benefits of freedom of speech?