7:36 p.m. - 2003-05-24
Censors and censure
Ok, I admit it dear diary, I often pick up the ribald jokes in classic literature when they just sail past other people's heads. However, when it comes to contemporary music and writing, I concede that I need a dictionary or a translator of risque terminology. It just dawned on me, when I caught the strains of the Beach Boys "Surf City" today - it's Memorial Day weekend right - what they were referring to when they talked about their car - I think. Same with a lot of the movies I watched as a teen. It's only just now, when my sons will occasionally translate, that I've understood the allusions in stories like "Grease". I guess you don't have to be blonde to be dumb, eh?
I think that's part of the answer to some parents' angst over what their children are exposed to in popular culture. If they have no knowledge of it in the first place, they aren't going to be corrupted by what they hear. Go back and listen to the jokes on the old (and much loved and missed) Muppet Show for really good double entendres. I know my sons used to laugh at the first layer of meaning, but they didn't get the second meaning interjected by the adults - not until recently. Politics and social commentary didn't really hold a big place in their young lives - they just didn't notice. They thought I was laughing with them.
I was surfing through "The Arab News" on the recommendation of a friend yesterday, trying to pick up some local news for the mom I spoke with yesterday. My friend had been quite impressed with the change in editorial policy at the paper. They had noted that even a year ago, any criticism or questioning of government policy or action would have been forbidden or severely punished and that editorials on social issues were severely constrained. There seems to be a lot more freedom of expression at this point in time. I found these editorials and found them heartening Terrorism and Civil Rights. Some of the other opinions expressed aren't as comforting, but at least a freer exchange of ideas is being encouraged.
When I was investing a lot of volunteer time in Amnesty International, I had to do a lot of reading and research before acting on or disseminating information to the community. Over time, what emerged as a very clear pattern, where repressive regimes were concerned, was that they could be identified in their early stages of development by who they sought to silence or control first. Not surprisingly the court system, the medical community and teachers came first, but almost as soon were the media in all its forms.
An example of repression out of control? When the assault on students in Tianamen Square happened in 1989, I was co-chair of the local AI group. It was very disturbing to learn that the Canadian Chinese Embassy, based in a sister city, was not only monitoring even the most humble reporting of events here - for example in university and community newsletters - but was also trying to force those who expressed any criticism of the Chinese government's murder of those students, in Canadian publications, to retract their statements. How dare they even think they should claim that perogative in Canada. But they were so oblivious to their abuse of power, that they didn't even have enough grace to show shame when challenged about it. They stated it was their right. Another example? When some Indonesian officials visited here, they also found it difficult to accept that their bodyguards would be charged with murder if they employed the "shoot to kill" policies that allow them to blow away a local for having the temerity to stand in the same sunshine as their leaders. Not on Canadian soil.
But, with any group who feel only their view point is valid whether government, cult or sect that seems to be their first line of attack and defense. Shut everyone one else down; make expressing a dissenting point of view "treason" or "immoral". Kudos to the Saudi's for some courage in trusting their population to think for themselves.
Journalists are often not trusted by anyone because they never seem to see or report exactly what we believe to be the truth. However, as one prominent columnist here put it years ago in a very compelling presentation, "We reflect the community back to itself. If you don't like what you see and hear - talk to the person in your mirror. That's the only one who can change things." Similar I guess to Margaret Mead's observation that the only force that can change things in a society is a small dedicated, determined group of people. With, I might add from experience, a lot of patience and the willingness to face the consequences of initiating change. In the Amnesty International literature, the frustration expressed by volunteers trying to stop violent regimes from slaughtering their civilians was often met with the story of those who began the abolition movement a century or more ago. They were laughed off the streets and ridiculed at first. Then threatened and abused as their ideas began to gain a following. Patience Grasshopper.
Interesting article by Derek Sankey in the careers section of our local paper, The Herald, today. A review of Barbara Moses' book "What Next". It isn't included in the paper's website, but the opening sentence "It may be difficult to see when it happens, but a renowned author says a "brutal work experience" combined with a commitment to learn from the situation is one of the most common attributes of some of the most successful people." Where I drew strength from the article was from the paragraph that read "It's not only where you work, but how you work. One former energy sector employee, who didn't want her name used, says she landed what she thought was a great job only to find her boss was "insanely cruel," co-workers were frozen in fear and the intriguing facade of the company soon turned sour." Discussion then ensues about how to deal with a sudden job loss or a work situation with " a culture and atmosphere of tyranny". Sometimes knowing that what one is experiencing is common enough to generate a whole book (or two) on the subject, allows one to focus on solutions rather than self sabotage. Think I'll try to find a copy somewhere.
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