Taking a moment to disagree

I was a little surprised to find myself watching Fox News today.  I have to say, I feel a little dirty.  I can't stand how one sided Fox News can be.  I can't stand how the shows are just a collection of yelling heads not talking to each other.  I can't stand how Fox News watchers find themselves less informed on issues than if they had picked almost any other news source.


And yet... I watched Fox News today.  OK, I'll be slightly more accurate and say I watched a few clips on the internet from Fox News, which was inspired by reading a news story about the firing of NPR's Juan Williams following comments on The O'Reilly Factor.  As I read the article, something seemed incongruous in the actions of NPR after the comments he made.  So curious, I decided to venture to the Dark Side for a bit, and I watched the clip of the show that contained the comments.

Now, watching The O'Reilly Factor was mostly what I expected.  A few folks on for commentray that don't really get to say much for all the interruptions.  Really, it's a show of mostly iterruptions.  That's why I was curious: did Juan Williams have more to say?  In essence, my question was really: are we (and NPR) so quick to jump on bigotry that we take quotes out of context?

Here's what I saw: Mr. Williams made a statement that, at best, was ill-advised.  He made the mistake of telling the truth in a personal manner.  But I could tell as I watched that there was more he was trying to say, and that's where the format of the show does a disservice to its viewers.  He did say later in the show (or tried to say) that we can't allow for those biases we initially feel to rule us, and we shouldn't take an experience with a minuscule segment of a population (terrorists) to interfere with our day-to-day interaction with other members of that population (Muslims).  He reiterated that today in another appearance on Fox News.  He went on to say that

But that's the failing of the format of the show: his initial statement was let said quite clearly, and his later addendum was cut of numerous times by either Bill O'Reilly or the other panelist.  Did Mr. Williams try to make a point about interacting with people beyond experience based on fear and appearance?  Yes.  But, did Mr.Williams frame his point in the right way?  No.  So, Mr. Williams was fired.

I don't know that I've heard anything on NPR by Mr. Williams.  But I do know that I'm less inclined to give them money following this action.  How can we be for freedom of speech if we disallow those who disagree with us from speaking?  How can we be for justice and compassion when silence voices that are trying to be heard?  How can we hope to overcome fear of others and have a conversation about finding the right way to move forward when we push aside those that may struggle with it?

What an excellent opportunity for NPR to start a national conversation.  What an epic failure on the part of NPR to take an opposite course of action.

Well, I suppose NPR did start a national conversation.  Just not that one we might have been better served by.