Subject: Re: What’s considered RACIST in the Zine World
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 16:21:09 -0400
From: Daniel Rhatigan <Sparky@inch.com>
Newsgroups: alt.zines
D. Halligan wrote:
> one also needs to keep in mind that this is a newsgroup revolving around writing, self-publishing, and free speech. I think if it’s important to you to point out words and ideas that offend you, then by all means do. [snip] But realize the free speech that protects your right to voice your opinion is the same free speech that allows someone to say something that may be offensive to you.
Really beautifully stated. And probably a good concept for participants in the newsgroup to keep in mind. I would even go so far as to say that if we’re committed to being writers and self-publishers, it’s our responsibility
to exercise that free speech to its fullest — we’re less bound by the forces
that might keep it at bay. Sure, it would be fantastic if everyone in the newsgroup — and in the world at large — were considerate, rational, and
committed to an open dialogue of ideas. Truth is, that’s not necessarily
the case, and I’d rather argure someone down to the mat or make a personal
choice to ignore them rather than let their unpopular ideas fester behind
censorship until they explode without warning.