Whoopi Goldberg recently stated her view on America's heart and soul:
"America's heart and soul is freedom of expression without fear of reprisal," she said in a statement.
Cool! I hate reprisals too!
QUERY: Does the no reprisal rule apply to Dr. Laura too? Or are some expressions more free than others?
In a way though, I think Whoopi is right. Although I don't think she meant her statement literally, if we take it at face value she isn't saying that freedom of expression without reprisals is America's heart and soul; only that an absence of fear is. I am all for an absence of fear as America's heart and soul, and I note that in the past, Whoopi has been quite outspoken, even facing serious criticism merely for saying she was an American:
subordinated individuals often employ individualism as a buttress to racial stigma. An example is Whoopi Goldberg, who denies her connection to Africa by saying, "Don't call me an African American, I am an American."
Believe it or not, it took courage for her to say that, and despite the current flap, I haven't forgotten it. (Even if I disagree with her assessment of her current predictable predicament.)
posted by Eric on 07.17.04 at 09:43 AM
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Whoopi Goldberg is sexy WITHOUT the Slim-Fast products. It's all in the attitude...
Raging Bee · July 19, 2004 11:43 AM
I can't believe you just equated Dr. Laura with Whoopi. Is there no distinction between hate speech (leveled at a class of people) and criticism (leveled at a person)?
There also needs to be a distinction made between "reprisal" and "consequences". One should always expect consequences. But should one always expect "reprisal" (punishment)?
As you point out, Dr. Laura and Whoopi are quite different. But the First Amendment is content neutral, and does not distinguish between a class of people (homosexuals, Jews or Republicans) and a person (Andrew Sullivan, Howard Stern, or George Bush).
The consequences for saying what others don't wish to hear may or may not include reprisals. Whether they're legal or illegal, I don't think we should live in fear of them. Although sometimes, reprisals are to be expected. I saw vicious reprisals against local city commissioners -- including me -- who didn't vote the way certain people wanted. I was spat upon and had bottles thrown at me for Second Amendment advocacy in the "wrong" place. Depending on the employer, I might expect to be fired for things I have written in this blog.
I am not defending such reprisals (some of which are criminal conduct), and I would not engage in them. But the First Amendment only protects speech against government encroachment.
The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Don?t bang your head!
I'm proud to be an individualist.