On Censorship
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
April 11, 2012 5:23pm CST
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/03/i-am-very-real.html
Book burning is the most disgusting form of censorship, as Mr. Vonnegut describes in his letter to a school offical; but there are other forms of censorship not so obvious or blatant.
Like refusing to read the other side of an opinion, simply because someone told you it was wrong, or extreme, or unacceptable, or not trustworthy.
If you disagree with someone's point of view, wouldn't it make sense to read it, hear it...so as to at least make yourself knowledgable about what it is you really think? Anyone so afraid of ideas that he refuses to consider them, has censored himself.
2 responses
@honest_efforts100 (1607)
• India
25 Jul 12
I believe we learn from what we see and what we hear. Even though my argument is different from yours, it does not mean I don’t listen to what you are saying. In fact I might get something that I can apply somewhere else. Knowledge is acquired and we learn from other people.
1 person likes this
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
12 Apr 12
In the house I grew up there was tons of censoring going on! My mom and sister were exactly what you describe. It was so bad I couldn't couldn't stand it when I was 6! My dad and I were the only one's who contemplated both sides and thought about the "what ifs", but he was hard at work most of the time. I had to wait for him to come to have someone to talk to! I eliminated this kind of censorship from my children's lives. I later figured out the reason for the censorship was they couldn't understand the idea! I just have my sister left and only now have I drilled it into her head the news isn't the news! Only after seeing all sides of an issue are you actually learning something!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Apr 12
It's subtle but it works. The left wants no debate. They do not like it when people think for themselves or question their motives or their actions. It is 'assumed' that theirs is the only proper way to think.
I spent a lot of time last night reading almost the entire website called 'Angry White Dude'. I found it by accident and at first thought what an awful title for a website. I didn't like the course language, not that it was offensive, but it was course. But I read about six articles, then came across one on his beliefs about MLK. I thought, ok here we go, this is the litmus test for me. If he's against what MLK stood for or makes fun of him in any way, I'll know he's wrong and can dismiss his other views. He said the exact same thing I've said. IF MLK had lived we'd not see the sort of thing we're seeing now in Florida. My perception of this website was not good when I began. After I read through it I had agreed with about 90% of what he said. THAT is how people learn. The 10% I didn't agree with served to make me think about WHY I believed what I believed, and reinforced my reasoning.
I've read Richard Dawkins, a atheist so bitter against God that he makes me cringe. But I read his book anyway. And came away more convinced I was on the right path than ever.
Thanks for responding 2004cqui. I look forward to your posts.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Apr 12
It would have helped me. My brothers were forever trying to teach me logic. The course work LOGIC, not how to be logical. Did you know they used to teach this in colleges?
