Comments, Censorship & the Community

The following information was forwarded to Wilsonian Voices yesterday by a fellow Wilsonian who attempted to make a comment in the local newspaper in response to a comment they saw. As the story goes they waited to see their response amongst the others they watched being added to the comment section. It never came through. So they sent us a copy of what they wrote and we've decided to share it.
This comment appeared in the Wilson Times comment section of the article Gay, It's Not Over

His turn now said...
So, when are the Woodard supporters going to apologize for the way they did things? And don't tell me they didn't act ugly and distribute their own racist stuff.... I have copies of it AND I experienced it..... What's good for the goose ..... Monday, May 10, 2010 at 2:08 PM

BELOW IS THE COMMENT READERS DIDN'T GET TO SEE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PERMITTED BY THE LOCAL PAPER.
To His Turn Now said...
Ignorance is as ignorance speaks. Lack of understanding is a key element. An un-informed critic is another. We agree, what's good for the geese is good for the gander. So to "His Turn Now" it's your turn.
Distribution of a community newsletter within the African American community does not violate any amendment rights. Violation enters when an individual or group of individuals attempt to take away that right. Your comment " And don't tell me they didn't act ugly and distribute their own racist stuff.... I have copies of it AND I experienced it..." is a perfect example of "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and prove it." What exactly did you experience? The right of the people to voice their opinion. The right of the people to write about their experiences and opinions. Sounds more like you are in favor of violating the rights of the people. And since when does reading something on paper qualify you to experience an “it” moment. “It” what? What is the "it" you are referring to? That sounds more along the lines of ugly white racist stuff. It, They, Them. And lastly, FYI, the newsletter was not distributed by Woodard's campaign staff as a point of clarification for you and those who think like you. And as far as Woodard supporters as long as it is within the restraints of the law they can write about and talk about and blog and tweet about whatever they so desire. The beauty of it is and there's nothing you and anybody else can do about it. So long as we both shall live in America. Now experience that.


If you've experinced the same situation, we'd like to hear about it. Send us an email to wilsonian.voices@yahoo.com. And thanks for sharing.