The Fear Of Giving Offence Is Killing Democracy And Stifles Truth

[naomi24]

Isn't this what many of us have been saying for a long time?

http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/claire-fox-the-fear-of-giving-offence-is-killing-democracy-and-stifles-truth-a3245226.html

[TWR]

Good Morning Naomi, It does not matter how it's said, where it was said, who says it, some will twist it to please others, the police done this to try & Pre warn the public but the expected happens, we have become people that do not r are afraid to say what we think in case it offends, there was something on the TV the other night about the polish population & used the term "Poles" many times, was there an out cry? no, it only comes from one area, Muslims, I will be called for my comments & do you know, I could not give a toss, we HAVE become Invaders in our own Country that's afraid to say what we think, I think the true hurts to some.

[Togo]

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
George Orwell.

So tell the truth.

[TWR]

I don't do otherwise to please Togo, I say it as it is, if it offends, well life is full of trials.

[TWR]

Nav! what's that about? put the bottle down it's too early.

[agchristie]

It certainly is Naomi.

I wish Ms Fox success with her book, alas, I fear the sales figures will not be a great success due to both the offensive title and content matter...

[Togo]

With you there TWR. I meant "tell the truth" to hiss the gainsayers off.

[Old_Geezer]

Pendulums tend to swing. At one time rude folk used being, or claiming to be, truth to simply attack others; now the attempt to address that has ensured some fear being attacked for actually saying what needs to be said. Hopefully after a few reducing swings one way then the other society will gain the maturity of knowing where the correct balance lies. Or else there is no hope of improvement for human relationships.

[youngmafbog]

It is, as many things are these days, all the fault so the so called liberal elite.

The howls of racist when anyone raised, a very genuine, concern on immigration the twisting of the meaning of normal words to claim an offnece in an attempt to silence the other party.

Many have seen thios for years on here, but there are just as many on here who use such practices to silence the opposition when they have no real argument other than an ideological belief.

[-Talbot-]

Asians on my twitter feed who tweeted that they were not offended by the allahu akbar shout at the shopping centre were met with comments of
'coconut' by other Asians. The Asians who were offended that the other Asians were not offended were backed up by white 'look at me I'm not in the least bit racists' tweeters
Ask them if they support the 'coconut' comments and they ignore you.

(Ignoring difficult questions is also a ploy used on AB)

[Old_Geezer]

Interesting. Was the "coconut" comment a truth that should be told, or an offence that they weren't in fear of giving ? Here, in a nutshell, is the problem of getting those who use a demand for being able to tell the truth to justify insults, whilst decent folk no longer wish to get involved.

[Bathsheba]

Talby...what does "coconut" mean in that context?

Baths
x x x

[-Talbot-]

Brown on the outside but white on the inside, Bathy.

[Old_Geezer]

Think of "Kid Creole and the Coconuts" ;-)

[Bathsheba]

Ta. :) x x x

[Peter Pedant]

// The Fear Of Giving Offence Is Killing Democracy And Stifles Truth ? //

well it certainly doesnt work on AB !


[ I was gonna say ' well it certainly hasnt shut you up Ni ' but I was afraid of giving offence so I changed it. (joke joke) I just dont take what you say seriously nowadays ni and I didnt realise that you posed the question in a serious manner]

[naomi24]

Peter Pedant, oh my! This from you continues from thread to thread. You really do have a problem with me. Happy days. :o)

[jim360]

The people the article is complaining about are vocal, but I don't think they are nearly as large a group as they are given credit for. It worries me that they get so much attention because it allows the legitimate part of their concerns, or those of related groups, to be lumped in with the hysterical response, and so ignored in kind.

[naomi24]

Jim, I don't think they are being ignored - hence articles like this.

[jim360]

Perhaps, then, not taken seriously. Certainly not in the right way. Consider for example the article's reference to "identity politics". This is, essentially, the entirely reasonable idea that who you are shouldn't be determined entirely or principally by how society sees you, but rather by how you see yourself. The sort of people this article is complaining about would however both reject any societal role in determining your identity at all, and can perhaps even get incredibly uptight and offended if you don't instantly perceive their preferred identity.

Most, however, who believe that identity is about self-perception don't go that far. But then such people are less noticeable because they don't make such a fuss about it. Which group gets paid more attention, though? Loud and small, or quiet and large? Almost always, as in any field, the latter get lumped in with the former. What often happens then is that no-one in the "sensible" group gets taken particularly seriously, though, tainted by association.

On a separate point, exactly how many people have to stand up, freely, and speak out in mass media accessible to millions about how their voice has been stifled before they begin to notice the irony in this complaint? People are still free to say what they wish to, perhaps even freer than before. What they are *not* so free to do these days, is to speak without challenge.