Author Joyce Carol Oates makes a living writing what she feels. She has denounced Donald Sterling’s racism, but she’s also concerned about what his lifetime NBA ban means for the future of self-expression in America:
Am I the only person in US surprised that a private conversation (no matter how ugly) can be the basis for such public recrimination?
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
This era of ever-vigilant social media & NSA surveillance may one day be seen as the end of "free speech" in America. Happened so quickly.
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
Many, perhaps most, US citizens now seem to believe that you can/ should be punished for what you say even in private. Repercussions?
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
Many, perhaps most, US citizens now seem to believe that to defend just the principle of "free speech" is to defend a particular individual.
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
In US law, no one is "indefensible." If prosecution does not need to prove a case, we are all susceptible to false accusations, arrest.
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
Why do so many people confuse an individual case (agreed, despicable) with a principle? "Free speech"–"free press"–US Constitution.
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
If one individual is so vilified for making private statements, one day you may not dare say anything "critical" about the President.
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
In 2039 murmuring something "critical" about the President may result in a fleet of drones sent in your direction. "Wait–just kidding!"
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
Tragic pessimist George Orwell could not have foreseen that individuals would give up their freedom to be punitive Big Brother themselves.
— Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) April 30, 2014
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Related:
Twitchy coverage of Joyce Carol Oates
Twitchy coverage of the Donald Sterling controversy
