A New Definition of Freedom
In April, PBS aired a series entitled America at the Crossroads. The subject was America’s relationship with the Islam. It was strongly criticized in conservative circles for its refusal to show a contracted segment about fundamental Islam.
On the other hand, and to its great credit, PBS aired an outstanding and provocative segment on fundamentalist Islam entitled Faith Without Fear. The subject matter followed a young Muslim woman named Irshad Manji, whom the New York Times described as Osama Bin Laden’s worst nightmare. Born in Uganda, her family immigrated to Canada to escape the terror of Idi Amin. Ms. Manji is a person of letters who is an activist for feminism, gay rights, and deep reform to the Muslim religion. Among her many achievements, she is the author of the book The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call For Reform In Her Faith.
PBS followed her as she traveled around the world challenging Islam to modernize. It showed heated debates with the Imams and Mullahs who continually attempt to silence her covertly and through overt threats to her life. It showed her relationships with other like minded Muslims in the Netherlands, which led to the murder of an Islamic reformist in the streets of Amsterdam. In one disturbing segment, Ms. Manji tries to explain her position to her devout Muslim mother. The mother, in turn, brings her to their home Mosque in Canada, but is refused entry by fellow Mosque members.
But the most memorable part of this program was a debate Ms. Manji had with a high ranking Canadian cleric. The cleric told her that Islam will not be subjected to anything offensive. Ms. Manji responded, “The price of freedom is being offended”.
The price of freedom is being offended. This lesson should be learned not just by Islam, but by everyone in the United States. The strength of the United States is freedom, not freedom from being offended. I can’t think of any statement that can be made anywhere by anyone that won’t offend somebody, someplace, sometime.
If it weren’t so dangerous to our liberty, it would almost be comical to watch the latest fool’s parade of politically correct statements, recriminations, and apologies. Don Imus offended the blacks. Al Sharpton offended the Mormons. The late Jerry Falwell offended the gays. The Sopranos television show offended the Italians. Some Danish newspaper offended the Muslims. Opie and Anthony offend several female mucky mucks. Another XM shock jock got suspended for saying “flied lice” in a parody about a Chinese guy. And the Federal and many state governments join the parade by passing “hate” crime legislation in an effort to punish how you think relating to arbitrary “protected” classes. If a white guy kills a black guy, that might be investigated as a “hate” crime. I can assure you it would not be a hate crime the other way around.
It brings to mind political satirist Tom Lehrer’s musical parody National Brotherhood Week: “The white folks hate the black folks; and the black folks hate the white folks; the Protestants hate the Catholics; the Catholics hate the Protestants…and everybody hates the Jews,” except, of course, during National Brotherhood Week.
I don’t know about you, but I think I would prefer to be offended rather than having to conform to the thought police, official or otherwise. That isn’t freedom. That is George Orwell’s 1984 delayed.
On the other hand, and to its great credit, PBS aired an outstanding and provocative segment on fundamentalist Islam entitled Faith Without Fear. The subject matter followed a young Muslim woman named Irshad Manji, whom the New York Times described as Osama Bin Laden’s worst nightmare. Born in Uganda, her family immigrated to Canada to escape the terror of Idi Amin. Ms. Manji is a person of letters who is an activist for feminism, gay rights, and deep reform to the Muslim religion. Among her many achievements, she is the author of the book The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call For Reform In Her Faith.
PBS followed her as she traveled around the world challenging Islam to modernize. It showed heated debates with the Imams and Mullahs who continually attempt to silence her covertly and through overt threats to her life. It showed her relationships with other like minded Muslims in the Netherlands, which led to the murder of an Islamic reformist in the streets of Amsterdam. In one disturbing segment, Ms. Manji tries to explain her position to her devout Muslim mother. The mother, in turn, brings her to their home Mosque in Canada, but is refused entry by fellow Mosque members.
But the most memorable part of this program was a debate Ms. Manji had with a high ranking Canadian cleric. The cleric told her that Islam will not be subjected to anything offensive. Ms. Manji responded, “The price of freedom is being offended”.
The price of freedom is being offended. This lesson should be learned not just by Islam, but by everyone in the United States. The strength of the United States is freedom, not freedom from being offended. I can’t think of any statement that can be made anywhere by anyone that won’t offend somebody, someplace, sometime.
If it weren’t so dangerous to our liberty, it would almost be comical to watch the latest fool’s parade of politically correct statements, recriminations, and apologies. Don Imus offended the blacks. Al Sharpton offended the Mormons. The late Jerry Falwell offended the gays. The Sopranos television show offended the Italians. Some Danish newspaper offended the Muslims. Opie and Anthony offend several female mucky mucks. Another XM shock jock got suspended for saying “flied lice” in a parody about a Chinese guy. And the Federal and many state governments join the parade by passing “hate” crime legislation in an effort to punish how you think relating to arbitrary “protected” classes. If a white guy kills a black guy, that might be investigated as a “hate” crime. I can assure you it would not be a hate crime the other way around.
It brings to mind political satirist Tom Lehrer’s musical parody National Brotherhood Week: “The white folks hate the black folks; and the black folks hate the white folks; the Protestants hate the Catholics; the Catholics hate the Protestants…and everybody hates the Jews,” except, of course, during National Brotherhood Week.
I don’t know about you, but I think I would prefer to be offended rather than having to conform to the thought police, official or otherwise. That isn’t freedom. That is George Orwell’s 1984 delayed.
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