(ok, so I put the picture up just because it's hilarious to me... lol)
For those that don't know, it is the story of a lower income black family in a part of Mississippi (much like many other parts of Mississippi) still drowning in the muck of "Old South" racism and bigotry. Tragedy strikes when the daughter of the family is brutally accosted on the way home from the grocery store by two back country townies. Raped, beaten, and hung for dead, her weight breaks the branch, which was her saving grace. The story surrounds the court case of her father, who takes retribution on the men himself... With an assault rifle as they are headed to court.
A powerful movie, I suggest it to everyone. But this post wasn't meant to be a movie review. There was a particular portion that involved the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) marching down the middle of town in full ridiculous garb, spouting their racist beliefs through megaphone. Not met with legal resistance, the were however met with Molotov Cocktails and a well-deserved beat down. My fiance and I watched and I brought up the question of 'freedom of speech' and 'freedom to assemble'. I asked her if she could, would she make it illegal for certain things to be allowed (marching in klan garb, spewing racist sentiments, etc). She quickly replied 'YES, I'd make it illegal". I, on the other hand, agreed with them being able to.
Now I, ofcourse, don't agree with what they are saying and want more than anyone to hurl a rock at the cowards hiding behind masks though they "claim" to be men of God, but I do not agree with silencing their right to speech. My reason is simple. If we take away their right to speech and to assembly, who is next? What would have happened if all of Dr. King's marches and speeches were silenced before they were given?
Now, on the flip side of the argument, I feel that by doing what you do, you accept the risk and consequence of your actions. Should a klansmen take a brick to the skull, weeeeellllll, that's the risk you took!
So what are your thoughts?
Love Up...
A number of thoughts cloud my mind after reading your post, but the important thoughts are about the importance of freedom of expression. Still, it needs to be regulated and only allowed in certain arenas.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot I don't/do agree with, but there is a time and a place. For instance, preaching against the war at a soldiers funeral, or staging a Klan protest during a MLK Day celebration, unacceptable.
To make this clearer, I'd say think about some current event issues that have people divided like immigration or gay rights. Some people have a clear idea of where they stand on these issues, but some of those ideas aren't looking at it from the other's point of view.
I really hope you're joking about the brick because depending on how the tables turn, anyone could be on the receiving end of a brick.
hewhoshallnotbenamed. THANK YOU for the one and only opinion on ANY of my posts. You bring up great points and I appreciate it! The point of my posts are to strike up and engage conversation. I think you're the only one that gets that lol. And with the brick thing, was a poor attempt to add brevity to a stressful topic. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteOh, and you used Gamibt for your profile pic????? Come on man!!! Wolverine all day!!!! Or at least Archangel!!!
ReplyDelete