I came across this news article about NPR’s firing of journalist, Juan Williams, and I was shocked at what I read. The article basically states that Williams was fired for a comment that he made about his feelings toward Muslims while appearing on “The O’Reilly Factor”. In rehashing Bill O’Reilly’s comment during his appearance on “ The View” and the drama it stirred up, Williams admitted:“...when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”
While not the best thing he could have admitted to, I understand where he is coming from, especially in light of 9/11 where Islamic extremists used airplanes as weapons of mass destruction and caused enduring and irreparable damage. I saw this as a very real and honest response; NPR saw it as a reason to give Williams his walking paper. I watched the clips and I don't see a valid reason for why he was fired. He expressed his feelings, something many people can relate to, and while some of us saw complete honesty in an arena where this is rare, NPR saw a case for bigotry. When people are punished for expressing their personal opinions, no matter how unpopular it may be, it’s no wonder we live in such a guarded society where those in the know feed us drivel instead of telling us the unvarnished truth.
From time to time, G. sends me NPR articles that she thinks I might find interesting and I’ve even signed in to log my opinion on the rare occasion. But I am not a regular NPR subscriber. If I were I would have to think twice about tuning in, in light of how they handled the Juan Williams situation. In a country that purports, or rather, expresses free speech and readily provides a platform for radical types to spout extreme and often nonsensical viewpoints, it's hypocritical that someone can be fired for expressing his or her honest opinion. It’s a real shame when we have to guard our words because we are afraid of what the consequences will be.
While not the best thing he could have admitted to, I understand where he is coming from, especially in light of 9/11 where Islamic extremists used airplanes as weapons of mass destruction and caused enduring and irreparable damage. I saw this as a very real and honest response; NPR saw it as a reason to give Williams his walking paper. I watched the clips and I don't see a valid reason for why he was fired. He expressed his feelings, something many people can relate to, and while some of us saw complete honesty in an arena where this is rare, NPR saw a case for bigotry. When people are punished for expressing their personal opinions, no matter how unpopular it may be, it’s no wonder we live in such a guarded society where those in the know feed us drivel instead of telling us the unvarnished truth.
From time to time, G. sends me NPR articles that she thinks I might find interesting and I’ve even signed in to log my opinion on the rare occasion. But I am not a regular NPR subscriber. If I were I would have to think twice about tuning in, in light of how they handled the Juan Williams situation. In a country that purports, or rather, expresses free speech and readily provides a platform for radical types to spout extreme and often nonsensical viewpoints, it's hypocritical that someone can be fired for expressing his or her honest opinion. It’s a real shame when we have to guard our words because we are afraid of what the consequences will be.
I read about this, as well. We are entering extremely dangerous territory in our country, where we are SO obsessed with our "political correctness" that we don't actually express how we feel about something. I read that some journalist said that what Williams said is like a white person saying they are afraid of a black person in "thug attire." Yes, actually, it IS like saying that. So what? You can't help people's biases. If no one SAYS it, does that mean it doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is this: you can't please everyone. Fact.
So, America (land that I love), please stop trying to hard.
We are so afraid of "hurting someone's feelings" that we are teaching the younger generations that is more important to not step on anyone's toes than to have MORALS and opinions. We are instilling a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on our entire country and it's spinning out of control. People need to stand up and say exactly how they feel and quit lying so much. And if you don't agree, then don't agree. End of story.
Grow a thicker skin, America. Sticks and stones.
Yes! Every time something like this happens, people always fall back on the old cliche "If a white person had done that..." instead of looking at the issue at hand. I have a friend who thinks that Juan Williams violated his contract with NPR when he made that comment and while that may be true, I'm more concerned with the fact that it looks liked he was punished because he said something that made people uncomfortable. I take issue with that. But, Juan Williams already has a new job and the FOX people already know what they are getting. I'm sure he'll do well there.
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