I've spent a great deal of time studying the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 here in Africa in an effort to answer questions at work. That being said, a question was recently posed that I believe deserves attention. In essence, Can the comments made on my blog, negatively impact my fellowship? I don't know.
To date, I have purposefully and successfully avoided:
- Blogging about work
- Using peoples names that are not quoted somewhere else on the internet and beyond
- Politics
- Religion
- etc...
I love my job. I love my blog. I love communicating with you. I love your comments. They keep me sane. They keep me connected to a life very very far away.
So, now I battle with my ethos. And the question is put on the table. Do I moderate comments before they are published (constantly in fear that someone may misconstrue something I didn't actually say)? Do I preach freedom of speech as an American value - and censor my friends?
It is difficult for me and I just don't know the answer. Honestly. Please, opinions.
6 comments:
I must assume that the comments in question were made by me. It never occurred to me that I might offend someone by quoting harmless lyrics from a couple of silly rock & roll songs. I guess I should have known better, but I still feel that it is the offended's problem and not mine. Nevertheless, I have deleted the comments in hopes of preventing the problem being yours.
I don't think you should censor your friends... you can defend or dispute them or even follow with a disclaimer.. but don't censor.
Here's the thing, though. "Silly rock and roll songs", outrageous opinions, run of the mill salutations - should I even be concerned if someone is going to be offended? And if I am - should I even blog at all? or should I just pack it in and say thanks for the memories?
oh wow!! what happened??? did i miss out on something here? i thought it was me that said something questioanble...[a few blogs back - about "your boy..."] i think we're all afraid of speaking our mind to some extent because of the lack of control that we have over our lives, and fear of the goodness being taken away... if we were our own bosses, we wouldn't worry so much... x
Thank you for your comments... I am officially off the blog strike as I have come to terms with myself and this blog. I must admit, I thought it was a clever play off of the current WGA strike. :) I have no intention of censoring your comments.
Thank you for caring enough to stick around.
peas
when living as a non-resident in a country which is not-of-our-ancestry-of-origin, particularly at the US Government's expense, we must be sensitive to & mindful of all things politically- & culturally- correct.
As a Euro-centric Caucasian who is parenting minority children in the US, I relish and value the time that I have been able to spend living as a minority in a majority culture. During those opportunities, I constantly remind myself, I AM a US citizen, yet living as a visitor & token-American in a completely different system. I am an ambassador for my country and culture. I've learned not to ask for things that I take for-granted in the US.
Best wishes in "walking the line."
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