Who Owns the Right to Speak?
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http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2012/03/31/pmt-toure.cnn.html
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Posted By: Timothy Walker on March 31, 2012 I recently viewed an exchange between one of my favorite reporters, Piers Morgan of CNN, and cultural critic and essayist Toure' and found it to be troubling. I think the problem in our country when discussions of race, class, religion, sexuality, and any other sensitive topic comes up the "Right to Speak" blocks useful dialogue. What is the "Right to Speak"? Well I termed it, and to me it means basically what it sounds like...someone having the right to speak on an issue while others are perceived to not have a right to speak on a given issue. Now in that context, here is what I found troubling about this exchange between Piers Morgan and Toure'. Of course Piers Morgan is not American, and he is white...no problem to me. Toure's is African-American...no problem here either. Toure' felt it was necessary to discredit the coverage Piers Morgan was giving the Trayvon Martin story. Toure' called him "too new to this situation to understand what is going on here and what is really here at stake for America", suggesting that since he is not American, and making another subtle implication that since he is not African-American, he does not have the right to talk about this issue. I love the way Piers responds and tries to defend himself by saying: " What a load of factious nonsense you speak...Toure'...you think you would only have the right to speak about whats serious in America? You think that I don't have the right as someone from Britain who has spend 6-7 years over here to address a story as serious as this with the responsibility...(got cut off by Torue')...I have as much as a right as you do." I think that exchange illustrates whats wrong with America. The Trayvon Martin situation is not just an African-American issue, it is an American issue. Of course it directly affects African-Americans, but if we are the only ones who have the "right to speak" on this issue it will always remain a one-sided thing, and will not get fixed or addressed. Issues of race, gender, sexuality, religion, politics, class, etc are EVERYONE's issues to speak on. No one has an exclusive copyright to speak on an issue that has such a paramount effect on this nation. As we recall, it wasn't just African-Americans who talked about equal rights, or slavery, or voting rights...everyone talked about it and that's how the issue got taken care of, at least legislatively. Women were not the only ones talking about feminism, equal wages, voting rights, etc...men were talking about and highlighting these issues too. That is how those issues were raised and came to be changed. The LBGT community was not the only ones hollering for their rights and recognition as equal citizens in America...heterosexuals realized the legitimacy of their claims for equality and helped bring the issue forward and changes were put in place. No one has the exclusive right to speak on a certain topic because they fit that particular group that is being affected. Freedom of Speech reigns in this country, and I respect all the different views a variety of folks are able to bring to the table. When a consensus is built, changes are made. Factions, partisanship, divisiveness, divide-and-conquer, and similar attitudes lead to gridlock, demagoguery, and no action or change. This is the underlying issue I see in America. That is why when sensitive issues such as race roar its ugly head into the public conscience, like the Trayvon Martin case has done to America, the issue never gets properly addressed and flushed out. If we cannot see eye-to-eye and speak open and honestly about these types of issues, progress will be slow if any progress is to be made. I think Toure' was completely ignorant and unprofessional for the way he handled the discussion of the Trayvon Martin issue. He treated it as his own issue, and that no one else had the right to speak on it. Piers was correct in his response and I applaud his courage. Lesson here: Everyone White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Gay/Lesbian, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Woman, Man, Rich, Poor, Middle Class, Immigrant has the right to speak about anything they want from their unique viewpoint they want to speak through. Link to video of the Piers Morgan Toure' Exchange Below: http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestof... What do you all think? Do groups with the point-of-origin of crisis/effect retain a privilege or right to speak on that issue only? How else does issues get fixed in this country if we only hear one side? What are possible solutions? If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Timothy Walker
From Suffolk, VA Fisk University class of 2012 Member Since January 2009 |
Comments
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The right to speak belongs to each and everyone of us. Your viewpoint is as good as mine and in some cases better. We live in a country where that right is a given right. Regardless of color, creed or religious indifference we all have the right to speak. Keep speaking your mind Tim and continue to vocalize your concerns. Those who have issues with it will get over it and possibly even learn from it. Sunday, April 22nd 2012 at 10:52PM |
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