Free speech should be protected in newspapers

What is freedom of speech? This question has perplexed me over time, but more importantly has driven me to write an opinion discussing the recent events regarding the Arbiters’ right to print opinions by columnist Jerel Thomas. For those of you who don’t know who Jerel Thomas is, I suggest you watch the “700 Club.” Mr. Thomas opinions for the past two and a-half years have been directed toward minimizing every racial, cultural, and geographic group within the world.

Once or twice, Mr. Thomas has even degraded women, by implying that rape statistics are false. His articles are filled with bad grammar, childish vocabulary, and facts that have no claim or warrant. His article themes resemble those of Mr. Pat Buchanan’s campaign issues. Even though I do not agree with anything that comes out of Mr. Thomas’s mouth, I respect him for being able to speak his mind freely.

Mr. Thomas has been under attack by certain individuals because of his racist rhetoric and inflammatory statements. These people claim that the Arbiter must stop printing his stories because they are grossly inaccurate and insensitive. After hearing these allegations, it has opened my eyes to issues regarding freedom of speech.

Mr. Thomas, although a meathead, has the right to present his side of his views. The beauty of our constitution is to protect people for freedom of speech and to make sure that each citizen has an equal right to convey his or her opinions. Whether it be from the right field or from the left field, it is imperative that the person be given an equal chance to represent their views.

I feel the people attacking Jerel are first, insensitive to the constitution and are plagued with the veil of ignorance. These people claim that he should not have the right to speak his mind, because they do not agree with his positions.

But when they want their positions to be represented they use the freedom of speech to do so.

Even more disgusting to me is how this attack has been framed. The timing of this makes me understand how selfish people are. Mr. Thomas has been dehumanizing racial groups for more than two years. I feel that certain people feel threatened when they are the ones being attacked. Where were these people when he was printing gross lies about Martin Luther King? Where were they when he was attacking the Muslim religion? Oh that’s right, they were not responding because it did not hit them at home.

These people who attack Mr. Thomas, must not just pick their battles when it is most convenient to them, but rather when any attack is being made against any group. Instead of asking him to leave, write a letter to the editor and convey your thoughts feelings and opposition to him. It’s not hard to attack Mr. Thomas.

Being a person of color makes it even harder for me to defend some of Jerel’s racist comments. Moreover, it is even harder to be in opposition of groups that have been under represented over time and continue to. But it is important that we uphold the freedom of speech. It is important for everyone to have and posses.

Even though we might not agree with Mr. Falwell…oh sorry excuse Mr. Thomas, it is important to understand that his right to speak his mind is a right that is granted to him by the constitution. Instead of bickering and fighting, take your thoughts and opinions and put them to use. Educate Boise State on your views. That way you might even be able to change a persons mind that was confused before.

- Imran Ali serves as chief of staff for ASBSU.

Guest Opinion by Imran Ali

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