Evelyn Beatrice Hall, Barack Obama & the repeal of S18C

It bemuses me that in a modern western society, we have to continually defend against the erosion of what should be an unquestionable basic right, the right to the freedom of speech.

Obfuscating this debate over the repeal of S18c of Australia's Racial Discrimination Act is the increased and unchallenged use by politicians and activists of the indolent “Straw Man” argument. By exaggerating, misrepresenting or fabricating the purpose of the repeal, opponents are falsely presenting their own position as being more reasonable. This “Straw Man” tactic is also effective as it applies pressure to those who are advocating for change to first clarify what their position is not, instead of what their position actually is.

Despite what some have put forth, the argument for repealing S18c is not about harbouring racists, offering a green light to bigots or promoting their views and causes. Such claims should be dismissed as the aforementioned “Straw Man” arguments.

Repealing S18c is about principle, one that affords Australians the right to freely express ideas and to remove any impediment that may threaten this right. Such an ideal is not an endorsement of bad behaviour, it merely acknowledges that in our society, the right to freely express ideas no matter how extreme, distasteful or even wonderful, will always triumph over the collateral damage of "offence" that this freedom may arouse.

There is a quote from Evelyn Beatrice Hall (often incorrectly attributed Voltaire), that has been used in almost every argument in favour of free speech "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". However over the last couple of weeks President Barack Obama has said something that ought to go down in history as perhaps the best argument against those who would argue against repealing of s18c, or indeed any attempt to impose limits on our right to free speech. It was made in response to the publishing of racial comments made by the LA clippers owner, Donald Sterling.

“When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk.” Barrack Obama April 27, 2014

Wise words indeed.

#obama #s18c #freespeech