Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Obituary: Binyavanga Wainaina

what if the hearsay propagates bigotry and hatred? we have some freedom to write what we want; but also responsibility comes with the freedom. an example: the radio milles collines in rwanda debased tutsis, calling them cockroaches, in coded language called for their expulsion and even extermination ("send them back where they came from, up the river"). when the genocide began, and there were calls to put the radio station out of service, the u.s. president clinton refused to take action on the ground of freedom of speech.

we know what bigoted speech meant in the american south when black people were lynched. it is not o k when it comes to gays, or accusations of pedophilia when unsubstantiated.

the only restraint against hate speech in the u.s. is laws of libel, which are notoriously weak in broad cases like this. but we have an ethical obligation, in our discussions, even if there is no legal restraint. That's why our moderator sent his message to us all that he would not permit postings that attacked people. so what i am simply saying is that the defense of a claim, because it is allowable to print hearsay, should be subject to our standards for responsibility for our "speech acts." it ain't just talk, there are real consequences.

ken

kenneth harrow

professor emeritus

dept of english

michigan state university

517 803-8839

harrow@msu.edu

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From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM <chidi.opara@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2019 10:40:19 PM
To: USA Africa Dialogue Series
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Obituary: Binyavanga Wainaina

 

"Why does he write something that casts suspicion or calls into question the integrity of so many persons without providing solid proof?" (Kenneth Harrow).

A writer can write hearsay, so long as it is clearly indicated that what is being written is hearsay.

CAO.

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