Yesterday, someone I know and think favorably about, called me a hypocrite, or at least said I acted hypocritically. I am unnerved by this. I have fairly thick skin, but this one has bothered me.
I posted on Facebook in support of a Facebook friend who was disappointed that many white posters failed to mention the slaughter in South Carolina. I posted an article deriding the state of South Carolina for flying the Confederate flag. It was that post that caused this other person to call me out. You see, I am friendly with a local blogger who refuses to edit or delete comments, even if they are racist or disgustingly sexist because he believes in free expression. Some of these "trolls" appear to be disgusting human beings who lack self-esteem and courage and revel in making disgusting comments. Some of those people may be reading my blog now and penning nasty retorts that enrage my husband. There are racist commenters on that blog. But the blogger is not racist. He is, however, controversial and has made enemies.
When politicians or other public figures make a misstep, he calls them out. He is harder on those public officials than the regular press is. He has enemies. But, calling out the missteps of public officials and figures exemplifies speech that the First Amendment is designed to protect. I may not agree with what he says, but I believe he performs a public service in holding public figures accountable.
A state government flying a flag which symbolizes racial oppression differs considerably, in my book, from refusing to delete comments on a blog. The commenters' comments are written by people who are responsible for what they write. It is no one else's responsibility. Those troll commenters show their true cowardice through their anonymity. If someone refuses to take credit and/or responsibility for their missives, it is their character, not the bloggers', which must be questioned.
Their are many controversial people I admire or respect. Bucking the status quo can be courageous. I like misfits and troublemakers. We need people who are willing to question authority. However, I wish there were no nasty racists in Kansas City. I wish people treated each other with respect. I wish governments and corporations would treat all employees, including women, Blacks, Hispanics, older workers, and people with disabilities, the way they want their family members to be treated. Perhaps I am hypocritical, but I can believe in a persons' freedom of expression, no matter how repugnant that expression is, and still believe that the Confederate flag should not be flown by a governmental entity on government grounds. So, Tony is still my friend even though I dislike the cowardly comments posted by trolls on his blog. The two issues, for me, are not contradictory.
Speech as a public service is protected by the first amendment. Speech that is not a public service is protected. Speech that annoys you, speech that enrages you, speech that insults you: all are protected.
ReplyDeleteCould it be Mrs. Brachter that you are associating a different meaning to the Flag than the Statehouse is attaching? I do not know where you hail from, but folks from the South see the War of Northern Agression differently than many Northerners. A state flying a flag promoting states' rights could be seen as a warning to the Federal Government, and not as a racist attack. Maybe its through the lens you look at. And unless you have had your brothers killed by the government that now claims control over you, you cannot understand the importance of reminding that same government of the importance of state sovereignty.
ReplyDeleteCould you show a little compassion to the culture of States Rights held by many in the South? Or is the only appropriate culture to recognize that of African Americans?
I agree that other people may view the flag differently. Some people probably view the swastika differently than I do. However, what other people think does not change my opinion.
DeleteThat is a GREAT point. To this day it is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism. It is a common sight on temples or houses in India or Indonesia. Swastikas also have an ancient history in Europe, appearing on artifacts from pre-Christian European cultures.
ReplyDeleteSo you can understand the dangers of making a symbol socially unacceptable. You risk marginalizing and exacerbating a situation.
this was in response to lynne @ 1:56
DeleteGot to love dead white male bashing. Getting rid of our history just because the few loud minority is all up in arms over the controversy of the day.
ReplyDeleteAfter the shooting the biggest controversy is the Confederate Flag. But I think it's interesting that no one is up in arms that the guy burned the American Flag.
Not only do I think SC should keep it, I think it should be waved in every southern state in the union. Texas, LA, AR, MISS, AL, GA, KY, TN, FL, VA, SC and NC should waive it proud,
It's not your right to NOT be offended. Today it's the Confederate Flag, tomorrow it's the American Flafg.
If your offended by a flag then I have some advice for you. GROW THE HECK UP.
It's the support that flag shows and has shown and stood for, for racism, that's the problem.
DeleteIt's stupid. It's ugly and yes, it's racist, too frequently.
We're all hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteWe're human. We're imperfect, flawed.
The only matter is degree.
And for God's sake, ignore the knuckle-dragging idiot, racist, hating commenters over at Tony's KC blog. No one should lower themselves to their level.