'Duck Dynasty' debate explodes from TV to dinner tables, water coolers
SUMMARY
This article goes over the suspension of Phil Robertson from the popular TV show 'Duck Dynasty' due to his anti-gay comments. The suspension is for an undisclosed amount of time and there is discussion about whether or not he will be reinstated. It talks about he and his family focus their lives around Christianity and belief in the Bible, and their belief that homosexuality is a sin stems from this religious focus. The show has set records for non-fictional TV shows, having 11.8 million people tune in for their fourth season premiere. The studio, however, calls Mr. Robertson's comments, "unacceptable to fans, viewers, and the network alike." In relation to thins, the former Alaskan governor wrote on her Facebook status, “Free speech is an endangered species."
ANAYLSIS
What struck me most from this article was Sarah Palin's comment about freedom of speech being endangered. Despite what your beliefs might be about homosexuality, do you have a right to talk about it? Those who watch the show Duck Dynasty realize that this family is a very Christian family. They pray at the end of every show and a lot of the content delves into their family beliefs and traditions. Viewers should already be aware of their beliefs, so why such an outrage when Mr. Robertson expresses those beliefs? If Miley Cyrus says similar comments and audiences laugh, why the outrage when Mr. Robertson does? I don't understand the differences in tolerance here.
Personally, I believe that people have a right to choose homosexuality if they so deserve, or, as they believe, are born with it. That's fine. That lifestyle shouldn't interfere with the their rights for any reason. But people also have a right to oppose that lifestyle and make their beliefs clear, too.
Simply put, if you have a problem with what Mr. Robertson said, then don't watch the show.
People should be able to express their views. If they don't believe in homosexuality (as I do) they should be allowed to express it. If people who are homosexual are allowed to promote and say what they would like to, why can't others who are against it do the same? It would be different if he was threatening them, but he wasn't. Free speech is part of who we are as a country. We should be allowed to express our opinions without getting hurt for it. Sarah Palin is right. "Free speech is an endangered species."
ReplyDeleteI agree that you should be able to express what you think, and that it was okay for Mr. Robertson to say that he thought that homosexuality was a sin. I agree with Maddy when she said that if people don't think he should have said that they should just not watch the show. Nowadays you can't say anything that is "politically incorrect" without getting blasted for it.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't just one way of thinking. No one person, or idea is the only right. There are billions of people on this planet. Each is original, new, and full of novel insight. We need to realize that we are not answering a question, but asking a thousand new ones. Each person deserves the right to believe and share that belief. This is a natural right of man, to me. It's not only freedom of speech, but freedom of religion as well. Freedom of thought and voicing that thought. You will never completely agree with someone, and we shouldn't try to, either. America thrives on controversy and variety. We were once known as a melting pot of different races, cultures, and beliefs. It made us stronger. suppressing the freedom of expression stifles the life blood of America. Mr. Robertson has a right to speak his beliefs. Critics have a right to disagree. You can even disagree with me here; it's only going to reinforce my point.
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