The backlash is a bit concerning.
https://www.the-newshub.com/media/why-p ... ping-worldWhy Press Freedom Matters in the Developing WorldA war on words is a war on the western values of freedom, equality and skepticism. These three values have been the bedrock of western civilization and because of them, the west has been able to achieve tremendous levels of development in all fields. Recently, however, censorship is being embraced to staggering degrees. Ideas are becoming more and more immune to criticism, and it shall not be long before we find ourselves drowning in an ocean of political correctness, afraid of asking the hard questions which are the impetus for meaningful change, because of our phobia for ruffling a few feathers or enduring angry glares. That day would be the end of the west.
It is Friday 8th July, 2016 and it is a sad day for Trinidad and Tobago; not because of bloodshed or road carnage, but because of the loss of a freedom.
From its inception, our press has enjoyed the necessary freedom to investigate, report on and analyze the goings on of our nation and world, but today, the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian has issued an apology for publishing a column deemed "offensive" by a handful of members of the public.
Two days ago, on the Muslim holiday, Eid-ul-Fitr, Guardian columnist, Kevin Baldeosingh, published a satirical article in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, criticizing Islamic terrorism and suggesting ways to avoid being killed by Islamists. He was bashed by the Muslim community and several Muslim citizens began demanding apologies from the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Mr Orin Gordon.
One Mr Ismail Barton, who was explicit about his lack of appreciation for Baldeosingh's humour, published an open letter to Guardian Media Limited, expressing his views. He argued that a respectable media organization would not have published Baldeosingh's article, especially on the Muslim holiday, because it was "offensive" and "in poor taste."
Instead of defending press freedom and standing by their journalist, The Guardian replied with the apology below.
The terrifying trend of censorship is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago.
It was evident after the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January 2015, where the magazine's director of publication , Stéphane Charbonnier, along with ten others were slaughtered by Yemeni Islamists (AQAP) for drawing "offensive"cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. Questions equivalent to "Did they bring it upon themselves by drawing the cartoons?" were asked, while the world was showing solidarity through the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie.
It was evident when cartoons of the prophet Mohammed were published in Danish magazine, Jyllands-Posten and a popular response to the myriad of international violent protests, after imams with agendas spread misinformation, was that the magazine "should have respected Islam."
It is evident when social justice warriors label people as racists and sexists for disagreeing with them and criticizing ideas.
It is evident when #notallmuslims is used as a gas-lighting tactic by moderate Muslims, plagued by cognitive dissonance and ashamed of what their braver counterparts do; or when Islamic apologists use terrorist attacks in non-western countries, as opportunities to divide the world and bash the west, by suggesting that alleged white supremacy and modern day imperialism force us to think that some lives matter more than others.
Censorship is a slippery slope into an inescapable pit. Not only is it thought policing; but it creates a sociopolitical climate that incubates authoritarianism, barbarism and dishonesty, by protecting ideas from the criticism that is required to maintain a successful society. Criticism is like an art curator. When it is employed, there comes with it a special class. Censorship is the equivalent of passive thuggery and it is especially detrimental in the developing world.
In small-island developing states like Trinidad and Tobago, we still have a long way to go in order to achieve ideals such as complete equality before the law for homosexuals, legislation to protect women's reproductive rights and the separation of church and state. Irreverent columnists like Kevin Baldeosingh are essential to our development, because they ask uncomfortable questions and express unique, unpopular and sensible views.
We have an opportunity to be pioneers in our own destiny, by avoiding the pitfalls that lead to failed states, economic instability and archaic social and political standards. We have the opportunity, through Kevin and people like him, to wrestle with the uncomfortable from the get go, to foster tolerance through the curation of ideas and to rid ourselves of the poison of hyper-sensitivity, which removes any chance of honest, objective discussion on controversial topics. Allowing offence, which is completely subjective and based in emotionalism (as opposed to rationalism), to dictate the views that can and cannot be expressed and silence dissidents, is to chop off our nose to please our hand.
Subsequent to the apology from the Guardian's editor, several Muslims, led by popular businessman, Mr Inshan Ishmael, continued to express dissatisfaction, implying that The Guardian should be boycotted if Kevin and the editor-in-chief are not fired. In one Facebook post, he calls for Muslims to join him in contacting persons who have purchased advertisements from the newspaper, to urge them to remove their advertisements. In other posts, he resorts to name calling and ridicule.
This is proof that when you give censorship an inch, it will demand blood sweat and tears, but will never be satisfied. It is the embodiment of the Sufi proverb:
"Pick up a bee from kindness and learn the limitations of kindness."
If I ever needed to shout one of my mantras to the top of my lungs, it is now. You cannot invite termites to a party in a wooden house and expect them to play fair. They will eat the floor from right under you and feel no remorse. It is just what they do.
In essence, the apology by The Trinidad and Tobago Guardian today was a step in the wrong direction. We should all do our best to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Our well-being and the success of our society depends heavily upon our ability and willingness to protect the values that foster development. Are we on a slippery slope into political correctness and societal stagnation?
. . . I live in a country where hundreds of blacks are kill in the most horrendous of ways daily by cops and non blacks ... Black people are not allowed in certain parts or the country, there is a high chance of a black person being killed if seen in a non-black area after hours. Black people are denied education in most of the established schools, blacks are not allowed in certain hospitals... Black people get a lower salary than a non-black employees fucntioning at same capacity as them (Could be as low as 50% less)
