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Watching Bill Maher last night and he repeated what those who understand the meaning of "freedom of speech" know: the First Amendment only protects your speech from government censorship --- not employer, church, organization, or friends and family's opinions of your speech.
So, here's content to help you understand what is going on in
our country today and has been going on for generations. I do not support this
content, period. But I defend the right of free speech even where its position
is different from my own. If I didn't, then it would not be "free
speech." It would be limited to those in favor by the government.
I showed an early 2000 version of this documentary, also by
Frontline (one of the finest collective of truth tellers we have) in my
communications law classes and was always amazed by the number of students
(ages 18-60) who weren't aware of the level of hate in the U.S. or its
explosion with the internet providing anonymous interaction.
Trump joked once in his first administration that he was
opening "Pandora's Box". Indeed, he has, around the world. It is
unfathomable to me that an individual can look at a whole group of people, or
even just another person, who looks different, and hate them/him/ser simply
based on that one moment of observation. Would not instead instinctively
express curiosity and interest and understanding. It is unfathomable to me to
picture a bunch of white supremacists or what nationalists, or christian
nationalists (I will not respect these christians with a "C"), or any
other fear driven hate group plotting away without their favorite snack foods:
tacos, pizza, fried chicken, asian foods just like the rest of us. It's Paczki
Season regardless of your religion, don'cha know. Personally, my go to food is
Mediterranean, not those German foods of my heritage. How can they hate the
people but enjoy all the rich contributions those people have made to American
culture. MUSIC!!!! PEOPLE!!!! MUSIC!!!!! ART!!! MATHEMATICS!!! COMMUNICATION!!!
SCIENCES!!!!....
I'm a white-bread, almost middle-class kid who paid attention
to simple lessons of American Native peoples. I respect the earth, I don't
believe it takes a building to find and a deity and give thanks. Go stand in
your favorite forest, farmland, desert, shoreline and give thanks for the
richness of American culture because of the traditions and cultural influences
that came as "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free" came to our shores. How many St. Patrick's Day celebrants
have the faintest notion of what Irish, Italian, German, Polish, and (your
culture here) went through when they arrived here? This country didn't and
doesn't keep its promises.
I have sat in conversations with a myriad of Flint neighbors,
generally Arab, Asian, Cuban, Latinx, Black and white and found myself laughing
along as the conversation flowed through holiday preparations and FOOD! There
isn't a culture that doesn't rely on FOOD! to fix, comfort and celebrate. I've
compared religions and nodded my head as parents expressed frustrations with
teens...as well as fear for their teens in a country that gives law enforcement
a pass for shooting people of color first, forget asking questions. I've looked
at my own students --- I love all my students from the first day. It may not
last for either of us, but to know that these endearing individuals will be at
risk walking to their cars after my class spikes my fear and is unforgivable in
a country that promises equal protection.
Learning from one another is the only way to breakdown the
walls of difference that instigate fear and hate. The woman in the hijab needs
to work just like me, likes the same music I do, takes her kids to soccer just
like my kids do, and practices her First Amendment protected choice of
religion, wait for it! just as
I do. Imagine that? Of course, I am privileged only by the
color of my skin, to a greater protection to do than she is. Imagine that?
(really pause for a moment and imagine the influence your skin color has on
your movement through this country daily. Nothing about your character or
contribution to society, simply skin color.
Watch and understand please.
“The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram” is part of a collaborative investigation from FRONTLINE and ProPublica. The documentary premieres March 25 at 10 p.m. EDT/9 p.m. CDT on PBS stations (check local listings) and will be available to stream on YouTube, the PBS App and FRONTLINE’s website.
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