Freedom of Speech: Even for KKK and Black Lives Matter

Freedom of speech is one of the basic rights we claim to possess in the United States. If it exists, it needs to apply to white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan and to groups for African-Americans like Black Lives Matter.

Two Different Speeches

Some years ago, in Lexington, Kentucky where I live, I heard the Reverend Jesse Jackson speak on the campus of Transylvania University. I considered some of his speech propaganda, but I felt he made some excellent points, too.

On another occasion, also some years ago here in Lexington, Kentucky, I heard a speaker from a white supremacist group speak outside the old courthouse. I considered some of his speech propaganda, but I felt he made some excellent points, too.

Two speakers with far different viewpoints, but both spoke some words worth listening to, as I saw it. Both speeches were delivered peacefully, too.

Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Pikeville, Kentucky

The main reason I wrote this article at this time is that on Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Pikeville, Kentucky a group called the National Socialist Movement was scheduled to assemble at the Pike County Courthouse Plaza according to a public notice from the city of Pikeville. The notice stated that other organizations and counterprotesters were expected.

A Kentucky.com article written after the event, as well as other news articles, discussed how the event went. Based on the news reports, it seemed to proceed reasonably peacefully, thanks to preparations that included the presence of many law enforcement personnel. I was in Lexington and did not attend the event, so my opinion is based on these news reports.

Listening With an Open Mind, Memorable Quote

Ideally, we would all seek to listen with an open mind to everyone, seek to understand each individual’s point of view, and seek a fair solution to all conflicts without resorting to arguments and violence. We may not reach this ideal anytime soon, but I think we can come much closer to it.

Let’s seek to preserve freedom of speech. Better yet, let’s seek to use this freedom wisely to learn from one another and to make this wonderful nation better.

Too often, speakers use hyperbole (which I consider a fancy word for lying) or bald-faced lies in sensationalistic speeches, seeking to attract an audience and media attention. As I see it, popular media personalities such as Rush Limbaugh (conservative) and Rachel Maddow (liberal) are guilty of this. Their audiences consists largely of their fervent supporters, in my opinion.

Limbaugh and Maddow both make some good points. But I can only listen to them in small doses. I prefer a different approach.

I prefer hearing the truth, the facts, presented in a caring, compassionate way. As one who enjoys attending seminars, lectures, and discussions that offer various viewpoints, I’ve enjoyed hearing many persons speak over the years. But, perhaps the most memorable speech for me is one from my childhood that I did not hear in person. Below I quote a marvelous passage from the speech.

 “. . . .I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. . . . I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream. . . ."

Those memorable words from the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, August 28, 1963 speech in Washington, D.C. are often quoted today. He accomplished a great deal during his lifetime. And he did it through nonviolent protests.

I remember as a child seeing on television his peaceful protesters being attacked and not resisting, wondering why this occurred. As millions of persons watched those scenes, questions were raised, and changes followed. Gradually maybe. Not always for the best. But many positive changes came.

And if we judge not on the basis of skin color, etc., maybe both affirmative action and discrimination can end, at least as they are often practiced today.  

Current Groups and Affirmative Action Programs

Currently, groups focused on African-American rights (like Black Lives Matter) and white supremacist groups (like the Ku Klux Klan) continue to seek what they call fairness. Both types of groups can partially justify their complaints.

Hard-working, honest African-Americans stereotyped and targeted for the color of their skin deserve their complaints to be addressed in some way. Hard-working, honest Caucasians denied jobs or school admissions due to affirmative action programs that admit arguably less qualified minority candidates also deserve to have their complaints addressed in some way.

Furthermore, historically, some affirmative action programs at companies sought to satisfy requirements to hire more African-Americans and more women by hiring African-American females. This arguably made it even harder for African-American males to find jobs. Therefore, African-American males may have an even more legitimate gripe about some affirmative action programs than whites do.

Closing Thoughts
We need more love for others.

My article oversimplifies the complexities of this situation. But I hope that I at least convinced readers to try to listen to and consider the views of those who look differently than they do. I think that one thing (there are others) that separates the United States from countries mired in civil wars is the fact that our nation allows more freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. 

Let’s seek to listen and learn. Let’s seek to make ourselves, our nation, and our world better.

NOTE: This piece was last revised on April 30, 2017.

Can Christians, Muslims, and Jews Get Along? Yes!

Yes. Christians, Muslims, and Jews can get along with one another--despite what some media sources desire us to believe.

Two Meetings
Followers of the three faiths demonstrated this in two meetings last week in Lexington, Kentucky.

On Sunday, March 26, 2017, a group of persons met at a Jewish synagogue for a "Trialogue of Faith." Three religious leaders shared about their faith:

• Lexington's Episcopal Diocese bishop,
• a Muslim professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Kentucky,
• and a Lexington Jewish rabbi.

Then, these speakers responded to questions and comments from the audience.

On Monday, March 27, 2017, a group of persons met at a Catholic church. There, three different religious leaders spoke:

• Lexington's Catholic bishop,
• a Muslim leader,
• and another Lexington Jewish rabbi.

These three shared their views about dealing with a refugee crisis, answering questions from a moderator. Then, the trio of religious leaders answered questions from a group of students.

Do the Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others who came together at those two meetings typify the majority of the followers of the three major monotheistic faiths? Maybe not. But, I am confident that they practice those three monotheistic faiths better than the radicals that seem to me to make more headlines in the news.

Were any major problems solved? No, probably not. But the dialogues demonstrate progress in the right direction. As we learn from one another, and seek to work together to help one another and others, we progress toward making ourselves and our world better.

The first of those two meetings was a regular meeting of an organized group. For several years a group of persons known as the Christian Muslim Dialogue of Lexington, KY have assembled regularly here in Lexington, Kentucky to discuss issues. For years the group met at a Presbyterian Church. Then, they began rotating their meetings between that church and a mosque. The March 26th meeting at a synagogue mentioned above was this group's first meeting in a synagogue. However, the group hosted another "trialogue" for the three faiths some time ago in the Presbyterian church.

Though I've attended a few of the group's meetings over the years, I am just an occasional attendee, not an active leader in the group. I enjoy the discussions though. This group meets once a month almost every month, except for during the summer. Christian-Muslim Dialogue meetings are free and open to the public. The organization's website is linked to in the previous paragraph.

I feel blessed to live in a city where Christians, Muslims, Jews, and followers of other faiths or of no faith can all practice their religion. Maybe that will be true everywhere someday.  

A Vision for the Future
Maybe someday followers of various religions will unite to help achieve a just and lasting world peace. Then bells worldwide might toll to celebrate attaining this peace, including the huge 66,000 pound World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky, pictured below. Maybe someday followers of various faiths can work together to solve various humanitarian crises, including the ongoing refugee crisis in parts of the world. 

World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky, photo taken November 2016 by James E. Gibson

  

Let's seek to listen with open minds and seek to learn from those who come from different backgrounds. And, maybe someday we can attain unity about what it truly means to obey the highest righteous authority, God. Perhaps, then, we will live happier, healthier, longer, more fruitful lives. And, we can leave a better world for future generations than the one we inherited from our ancestors.

NOTE: This piece was last revised on April 5, 2017.