The Silencing, by Kirsten Powers, is a powerful new book decrying the state of free speech in today’s America. And there is much here for those of all political persuasions to be alarmed by and to learn from. As I’ve stated many times before, this is not a political website; rather, it is a place for the examination of reading, writing, language, communication, education, and creative culture (books, film, music, art, etc.). Therefore, while some may view this book recommendation as a hint toward a particular political perspective, I assure you it is not. This book is about the very foundation of human interaction, the freedom to discuss difficult ideas, and the hazards created by attempting to censor those with whom we may disagree. This is our most important battle, as educators, as thinkers and creators, and as public citizens.
Powers is a USA Today columnist and Fox News contributor, and as a left-leaning commentator, she takes a stand against those who try to silence dissenting points of view—most notably those on her side of the political spectrum.
Her condemnation of media, which is overwhelmingly dominated by one particular ideology, is particularly strong, exposing the hypocrisy of journalists and pundits who claim to seek truth, but instead demonstrate their biases unabashedly. Her documentation of political silencing is also discomforting, as politicians use their authority to punish reporters and commentators who have differing views. When media cannot have the freedom to question leadership, and leadership does not respect the voice of the media, our republic begins to resemble fascist regimes rather than the beacon of liberty it was designed to be.
Perhaps the most affecting portion of the book for me is the commentary on today’s colleges. Higher education should be the most open space for discussing difficult topics, so that young people can obtain as much information and as many viewpoints as possible in order to make up their own minds on where they stand and how they will live. Sadly, too many universities have become home to those seeking protection from challenging ideas, as students and faculty alike have too often chosen to squelch any dissent rather than engaging in thoughtful conversation.
Even though Powers considers herself to be on the left of the political spectrum on various social and economic issues, she receives censure from people of her own ideology more often than those who actively oppose her positions. This demonstrates an emerging and disheartening trend: those that seem to constantly talk about tolerance are often the least tolerant people one will meet.
Powers’s writing is not as interesting as Sharyl Attkisson’s great book from last year, Stonewalled. It reads, at times, like a long list of offenses and does not explore the fertile ground for interesting philosophical and political analysis nearly as much as it could. But, its simplicity may open eyes and minds.
This will be a book right-wing folks will enjoy because it confirms (in thoroughly documented detail) what they have already known for decades. And left-wing folks will likely dismiss it for challenging their orthodoxy. But therein lies the problem: this book needs to be read by those on the left, and I assume they simply won’t. This goes for those on the right as well who tend to disregard opposition. People of all political persuasions need to listen to legitimate and evidenced criticism of their own views so that clarity and perspective may emerge. Covering our ears to anyone who disagrees with us doesn’t make any of us smarter or more interesting people. It makes us close-minded and ignorant.
It’s easy to “tolerate” those that agree with us. True tolerance, Powers argues, comes from giving space and voice to those we oppose. That is the only way we can learn from one another.
Powers is a USA Today columnist and Fox News contributor, and as a left-leaning commentator, she takes a stand against those who try to silence dissenting points of view—most notably those on her side of the political spectrum.
Her condemnation of media, which is overwhelmingly dominated by one particular ideology, is particularly strong, exposing the hypocrisy of journalists and pundits who claim to seek truth, but instead demonstrate their biases unabashedly. Her documentation of political silencing is also discomforting, as politicians use their authority to punish reporters and commentators who have differing views. When media cannot have the freedom to question leadership, and leadership does not respect the voice of the media, our republic begins to resemble fascist regimes rather than the beacon of liberty it was designed to be.
Perhaps the most affecting portion of the book for me is the commentary on today’s colleges. Higher education should be the most open space for discussing difficult topics, so that young people can obtain as much information and as many viewpoints as possible in order to make up their own minds on where they stand and how they will live. Sadly, too many universities have become home to those seeking protection from challenging ideas, as students and faculty alike have too often chosen to squelch any dissent rather than engaging in thoughtful conversation.
Even though Powers considers herself to be on the left of the political spectrum on various social and economic issues, she receives censure from people of her own ideology more often than those who actively oppose her positions. This demonstrates an emerging and disheartening trend: those that seem to constantly talk about tolerance are often the least tolerant people one will meet.
Powers’s writing is not as interesting as Sharyl Attkisson’s great book from last year, Stonewalled. It reads, at times, like a long list of offenses and does not explore the fertile ground for interesting philosophical and political analysis nearly as much as it could. But, its simplicity may open eyes and minds.
This will be a book right-wing folks will enjoy because it confirms (in thoroughly documented detail) what they have already known for decades. And left-wing folks will likely dismiss it for challenging their orthodoxy. But therein lies the problem: this book needs to be read by those on the left, and I assume they simply won’t. This goes for those on the right as well who tend to disregard opposition. People of all political persuasions need to listen to legitimate and evidenced criticism of their own views so that clarity and perspective may emerge. Covering our ears to anyone who disagrees with us doesn’t make any of us smarter or more interesting people. It makes us close-minded and ignorant.
It’s easy to “tolerate” those that agree with us. True tolerance, Powers argues, comes from giving space and voice to those we oppose. That is the only way we can learn from one another.