If I were told that the leader of a known hate group was coming to speak at my school, I would feel very uneasy and unsure on how to deal with that leader speaking inflammatory racist language. Having to anticipate what a person who thinks so differently from me will say would make me very uncomfortable and nervous. If I were to sit there and try to listen what this person had to say, I would find it very hard to keep myself engaged and understanding to a person who is being unfair towards a race. Just because this person was invited to speak does not mean I, as a student of the school, should be forced to listen. Or does it? While the first amendment allows a person to speak freely, I believe we are allowed the choice to be or not be an audience.
I would in no way defend the person’s right to address the student body. Call me closed minded, call my actions unfair, I would not be capable of accepting the thoughts of a known racist being forced upon me. I feel that if this person feels they have the right to voice their opinion, I will have the right to voice my disapproval and disappointment of my school allowing a racist to address the campus, and the right to leave. I feel that a known outspoken racist should be left for discussions in a sociology or related class. The person should not be invited, and given the power, to spread their racist and absurd thoughts.
Unfortunately, if a school decides to invite a person to speak to their students, the school is then forced to accept what the person decides to speak about because of the first amendment. The law of the first amendment makes the school responsible for knowing and understanding that this person is going to speak inflammatory racist language. It is not the racist’s responsibility to hold back on what her or she says, if the person is invited by the school, they are privileged to the first amendment. That is, the freedom of speech. Just as you and I are given the right to freedom of speech, “bad” people are promised the right of freedom of speech.
A racist is a way of thinking. This thought process, I believe, is one that the majority of the people of this great nation have evolved to overcome and now disagree with. Unfortunately, racists are people and are protected under the first amendment. People all across the country have said things that are unpleasant; speaking out against the president or other leaders, judging certain career fields, putting down women, etc, even the most painful and disheartening: negatively speaking about us personally or people we love. These are experiences we, sometimes unconsciously, deal with everyday of our lives. As a part of this country we are forced to accept that people have the right to say what they want and we in response have the same right, or the right to stay silent and allow the negative speaker to make them themselves appear foolish.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Your blog was very powerful! I enjoyed reading it and I could share your same feelings about this matter. I agree with everything you posted. Racism is definitely an issue that is slowly being wiped away by incoming younger generations. People, I think, now are more passive of the way society is changing but you still have those close minded people who stick to the old times (when racism was a big ordeal). If I have to sit and listen to a racist speaking his opinion ( I would respect their opinion) but feel sorry for them that they are battling about 90% of the nation who is not racist or do not believe in racism. I too would not listen to them because I would find it very hard to keep myself engaged and would have trouble understanding why they are being unfair towards a race. You blog way very fun to read and I could relate to your feelings. I look forward to reading your next blog post : )
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I also agree with Aslin about how powerful your blog is. Racism is something that will never be COMPLETELY wiped away. It is starting to lessen because of the cultures that are blending. In some families racism are taught, its bad I know, but it is true. I have seen it and heard it.
ReplyDeleteWith the guess speaker speaking in a racist language I would be upset by it because I am a minority myself. Everyone is a target of racism. If that person speaks their mind, they should be ready for others to speak theirs. Schools should not even allow a person to come and speak such hateful things. A school is a place of education, some people might actually become racist after the speech. Their should be a choice for students who don't want to listen to those kinds of things. I enjoyed your blog and thanks for reading mine!