For those of you who may not be familiar with the story, the evening of Wednesday, October 20, NPR fired Juan Williams for comments he made to host Bill O’Reilly, Monday on The O'Reilly Factor:
"But when I get on a plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they're identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."
Later in the interview, Williams said it was wrong to generalize about Muslims, just as it is wrong to generalize about Christians, such as Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. His point was that Americans need to come to grips with their prejudices.
However, NPR chose not to take the entire context of Mr. Williams’ commentary. I believe they were wrong for doing so. Though I do not agree with Juan Williams on many issues, I listen to him often, and have a high respect for his honest, respectful and open dialogue. Are we supposed to express only that which is in total agreement to the opposition?
It is NPR’s loss.
Over the last week, as the news media bloviated about the right or wrong of Mr. Williams’ firing, I tried to put myself in the position of those who may have been offended by his statements. I imagined someone being afraid of me, a half-Japanese mother of two, a struggling novelist who lives on a dirt road and therefore drives a dirty SUV. Whether or not that fear was rational, I came to the conclusion I would want to know about it, so that through open dialogue, we could hopefully alleviate those fears. Whether or not I was offended, I would want to know.
I'll admit, I am sometimes one of those mealy-mouthed wimps, afraid of expressing an opinion that might offend, hurt or anger someone. I often walk away, and miss the opportunity to have an open dialogue. Sadly, it means we also missed learning something about the other that might have brought us closer to understanding.
So, thanks to a fellow writer friend, Greg Camp, who posted a blog about Juan Williams’ firing, I decided to “go tapeless” and post this blog. Better late than never. And, if I have offended anyone, I’m sorry. At least now, you know how I feel.
Click here to read Greg Camp's blog.
I worry that persons in Muslim dress suffer from suspicion and fear wherever they go in this country. I imagine people who are truly bad guys go incognito.
ReplyDeleteI wish that everyone could speak freely, but admit that there are people who do speak freely (ie. some of the 'preachers' who come to campus, for example) that I would cheerfully tell to shut up, but don't. So-- no real solutions, here.
Dormouse, you're right - many people speak freely and without respect, which I think is a big reason for the necessity of "political correctness." Those who are so offensive have made it difficult for those of us who would like to speak freely to learn. Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteThis raises the question of what exactly we mean by respect. I respect your right to believe whatever feels true to you. I respect your statements or opinions in so far as I have to understand them and hear them out before I can comment on them. Respect does not mean, however, that I have to agree with you.
ReplyDeleteWe get confused too often in thinking that respect means agreement or that disagreement can happen without understanding.
Well said, Greg. Problem with respect is, it's subjective. What one person thinks was said respectfully, another may take offense to. It makes the whole communication thing a real challenge.
ReplyDelete