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Diversity and Offence vs. Discrimination
Related to country: United States

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I was watching a comedy special recently called, Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed, on Comedy Central. In it Black commented vehemently on a U.S. Senator who was quoted as saying; The Gays are destroying the American Family. Black’s response to that crack-pot notion was to insist the Senator should have kept that thought locked up in his head instead of saying it out loud…especially in front of people.
Personally, I couldn’t disagree more. Black’s position on this issue is exactly what’s wrong with America today.
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees every citizen (no matter how infuriating they are) the right to free speech. In the wave of Political Correctness (that is stifling that Constitutional right to say what we think) every one wants to jump on anyone and everyone else’s freedom of expression. I personally am glad that Jackass Senator said it and said it in public because; now I know (should I get the opportunity) not to ever vote for him!
On the subject of free speech, I’d like to pass on some words of wisdom from one of the most intelligent thinkers of my generation. She’s Canadian (don’t hold that against her) Author and Film Maker, Irshad Manji. She pointed out in her PBS Documentary Faith without Fear that; one cannot have true diversity without risking offence. I couldn’t agree more. In a truly pluralistic environment, you must have diversity beyond the part of the country (or world) you were raised in. Beyond physical appearance or the religion you practice. In a truly pluralistic environment you must also have diversity of thought.
As the egotistical and opinionated individual that I am, I believe unexpressed thoughts are completely pointless. If thoughts remain unexpressed, there can be no exchange of ideas. Only through open and honest conversation can we achieve true understanding of each other. As Ms. Manji further observed in Faith without Fear there is a huge difference between being offended and being discriminated against. You can offend people without discriminating against them. The sooner we as a society realize this simple truth, the sooner we can progress toward the melting pot that we as a country are meant to be. We can bridge the gap of understanding between segments of our nation. Offence is the risk you take any time you engage with another religion, philosophy or ideology. The possibility of an Educational experience that you can walk away with is worth the risk.

June 17, 2008 | 5:24 AM Comments  0 comments

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