Good evening. From my brother Brendon: So, I really like this song. Im actually a bit of a Nathanael fan (which I imagine surprises a few folks), but heres the thing... Free speech doesnt really mean the same as being judgment-free. It means that I have the right to say it, as long as it doesnt harm others...and there are a great deal of things in the realm of religion that can hurt others. More importantly, free speech doesnt mean that people should not criticize your statements, its capacity for harm, and its whether its even a correct way to deal with people in a rapidly advancing global society. I say that because, with the debate about LGBT rights in T&T rising up yet again, it can be said that this is one of the things that this song is heavily about. And thats where Christians often shift the debate - the liberals have an agenda to take away my freedom to believe, and speak, and practice. And the truth is, no one cares that much. We do care, though, when people express a belief about other peoples abilities to live their lives in dignity and rights, and believe that others should share that based solely on their own belief. We care when those beliefs affect not only the systems within which non-believers act, but also how those non-believers treat themselves. Which means that, while you can say that, we can and should and hopefully always will say that those beliefs are dangerous and run counter to the movement of a world growing in Compassion. Thats all... I want to focus on this one part: free speech doesnt mean that people should not criticize your statements, its capacity for harm, and its whether its even a correct way to deal with people in a rapidly advancing global society. See, heres the thing: Nathanael is still *right*. Hes just, for the most part, wrong about whos the persona of *his own song*. I am really fortunate about two things: I have a community of people who would rather encourage me to share my perspective and rationally discuss it (or rather, fortunate to have more people Im close to who encourage me than people Im close to who try to shut me up, or worse, accuse me of the same); and I work in an art form the very basic tenet of which is empowering the voices of others, and I do work on projects where countless opposing viewpoints are in the same forum and therefore open to observation, and by extension critique. Lots of people tell me that my beliefs, by merit of merely having them, is proof that I cast aspersions on their character. They usually tell me that after identifying me as de man wid de faggit poem on Free Speech. I have close friends who - plain talk, bad manners - discourage me with their tone about things I care strongly about, and have the sternest words for even the sound of distrust of their religious beliefs but joke about bunnin out my ideas on a mic. I want anyone who disagrees with me to say so. All the time. (Apparently when I say so anywhere, that sounds like a silencing tactic. But really. Sit down and make your points solid, and then throw them at me, and whichever one makes my jaw hurt is one I owe it to myself to dissect.) Nathanael lives on an island where all of the things he wants to be is offered to him without challenge. His MP looks like Nathanael. His Minister of Security looks like Nathanael. In her heart of hearts, when she wants the best for the peoprrre, Kamla wants the best for Nathanael. But not for people I care strongly about, people I love, people who only wish for the right to be respected and given peace. And when they get frustrated and tired and cut off from the love that they have given to this nation, the lamentations they sing in the cold dark night... sound a... a-a lot like... dis Nathanael chune, jed... This goes for everyone: being challenged on your position is not the same as not being allowed to have one. Critique and censorship have never been spelt the same. But study this: I came from a workshop session this evening where the leader argued that sticks and stones do break ones bones, but words do still hurt people. This is true. And it becomes even worse when that hurtful word is that this person deserves sticks and stones. And compassion is not allowing anyone to let slip anything dangerous. So, real talk, Nathanael, you are allowed to say whatever you want. After all, youre a popular Caribbean gospel fusion artiste who uses the musical platform to put forward your agenda (and youre pretty catchy, too). But if yuh have nuttin good tuh say, me aint care if you say God ask yuh to say it, because I just as equally defend you against undue harm. No one is allowed to wield a stone for the sake of freedom. Or else everyone on earth would be sportin a buss-ead come night-time. Its Sunday night. All You Need Is Drive. (Yes, its time for episode 2 of Kamen Rider Drive. Yes, I know only five people on my facebook feed even know what Im talking about.) Say a little prayer for Compassion. She is feeling down these days, and could do with Gods grace upon her. And always be mindful of your words. You do not know whose eye youre putting out by saying them. #HNSHN.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:27:30 +0000
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