Roseanne
Barr, a controversial but talented comedian and star of the hit comedy series,
“Roseanne,” was dumped by ABC over her Twitter statements that involved racism.
But this story is not an isolated incident. The whole world of politics,
sports, entertainment, business, and has
put a chill on free speech.
Most
people would agree that if someone behaves badly they run the risk of losing
their job, especially if their poor behavior relates to or injures their
ability to do their job. For instance, if you are an addict, a company may fire
you, especially if you smoke crack at work. Or, if you are a high-profile
personality where your image impacts your employer, and, you are arrested for domestic
violence, this might earn you a suspension, demotion, or dismissal.
But what
if the actions one takes is merely speech? Are Tweets, Facebook posts,
interviews with the media or speeches a fireable offense?
I don’t
like what Roseanne said—nor her support for Trump nor her other crazy
statements over the past few decades. But should those views be seen separately from
her TV show?
Can we
keep art at a distance from those that create it? Can we separate the artist’s
life and views from the work produced?
On the one
hand, we may say “Screw her, she’s a racist and an idiot—let her lose her
show,” On the other hand, the show is not racist and is actually one of the
better comedies across the TV landscape. And even if the show was racist, isn’t
it up to viewers to determine what they watch? Or are viewers deemed not
responsible enough to judge such things?
I always
cringe when speech is punished, even in this case where it seems Roseanne is deemed unfit to have a hit TV show and the platform that goes with it. If we penalize
speech, we limit and control it. Or, worse, we begin to push the line that one
shouldn’t cross closer to the middle. We’ll go from patrolling what seems like
the obvious extremes to picking people off who say less significant things.
It’s a
really tough debate. We don’t want evil to win nor see hate flourish. We don’t
want to normalize the extremes. But who dictates what is over the top, and who
determines the appropriate punishment? Is there something in between TV
cancellation and ignoring her Tweets?
All of
this is especially frustrating when the President of the United States can call
black nations shit holes, say the former President was the member of a religion
that he wasn’t, speak in a derogatory manner about women, discuss people as if they
are animals, and treat others in a demeaning and disrespectful manner. If he
said these things while hosting a show he might have been cancelled. Instead,
he gets to rule the world.
What is
free speech?
-Is action
free speech, such as burning a flag or not standing for the national anthem?
-Is it
being able to criticize the government?
-To share
our views in all circumstances?
-Is hate
speech free speech? What is hate speech?
-What
responsibility do we have that comes with free speech—in what we say, don’t
say, how we express ourselves, and what we think our speech could result in?
-How does
Fake News help or hurt free speech?
PEN, ACLU,
and other organizations stand up for free speech and in the process seek to
define it, but right now it seems Twitter and employees of those who use
Twitter are determining just how far free speech will be tolerated.
In cases like Roseanne, the price of free speech is very, very high.
In cases like Roseanne, the price of free speech is very, very high.
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