Paul
How do you distinguish between a statement that is offensive to a particular
ethnic or religious group and one that is racist or anti-Semitic?
As I said in my reply to Stephen, it is our responsibility to point out when
people are being offensive in a public forum. Yes they have the right to
say what they want but it does not mean we have to accept it. If enough
pressure is placed on the offensive person, maybe they will think before
they make those comments.
Gary
Gary J. Klatsky
Department of Psychology [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Oswego State University (SUNY) http://www.oswego.edu/~klatsky
Oswego, NY 13126 Voice: (315) 341 3474
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On
Behalf Of Paul Brandon
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 1:31 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Michael Sylvester, an appreciation (sort-of)
Stephen--
I agree with your points.
I've stayed out of this discussion because I would not be comfortable on
either side.
As you say, much of what Michael S says is offensive, but this does not by
itself make it antisemitic.
As a Jew, his statements bother me, and I'm glad that Linda W has answered
them.
As a civil libertarian (card carrying member of the ACLU, etc) I feel that
he has the right to make them.
Ultimately, defending the general right to make offensive (to some)
statements protects the rights of all of us. Thius, I feel, is the bottom
line.
.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html *
