The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #113080 Message #2399457
Posted By: Emma B
28-Jul-08 - 11:25 AM
Thread Name: BS: responding to 'hate speech'
Subject: RE: BS: responding to 'hate speech'
Thanks Bee you defined the point I was trying to make whether to engage or avoid.
Guest DV, you have a valid argument about the problem of censorship and the adult option to 'step around the crap'.
If, however, I may extend you analogy a little further.....
Imagine a much loved location where you, your friends and even, from time to time, their children enjoy meeting up to chat about music and the things that interest and concern them.
On arriving one day you discover that someone has left a pile of excrement there.
Now there are a couple of options; you can of course ignore it by carefully stepping around it, as you suggest, or you can bring it to the attention of the custodians and hope that they will clean it up.
However, if the offending stuff is just left there the stink is not simply going to go away and there is a further possibility
The culprit (and people of the same inclinations) will return time and time again as it is becomes obvious that NO ONE is willing or able to stop the fouling until such time that even those dear friends who are preoccupied with the beauty of the stars will be unable to ignore the dirt accumulated beneath their feet.