The Associated Press just recently released its "Chronology of News Events in 2010." It includes such momentous occasions as the Obama administration filing a lawsuit in Phoenix to block Arizona's toughest-in-the-nation immigration law (leaving out that it is an
anti-illegal
immigration law), actress Lindsay Lohan beginning a 14 day jail sentence (reduced from 90 days due to overcrowding) for violating probation in a 2007 drug case, Wikileaks posting 90,000 leaked U.S. military records from the war in Afghanistan, and.....
August 10
Talk radio host Laura Schlessinger uses N-word 11 times on-air while discussing interracial marriage, later apologizing.
What the AP does not mention:
That I used the word to discuss its meaning and appropriateness in our society.
That I questioned why our society allows blacks to call each other that name but does not allow whites to discuss the issues raised by that word.
That I realized immediately the mere use of the word offended many of my listeners.
That I "self-policed" myself, pulled myself off the air, and apologized the very next morning.
That it wasn't until 48 hours later that the liberal so-called news media at CNN teamed up with Media Matters, the Urban League and the NAACP to demand that I be silenced and taken off the air.
That I NEVER called ANYONE that word. Instead, I was pointing out how that word is used ubiquitously in the black culture and community.
I am not a victim. We choose to be victims, and I do not choose that label for me. This event in my life - which I am responsible for - has led me to realize how precious free speech is in our country, and that there are forces gathering to restrict that fundamental First Amendment right.
In the few months since August 10, we've seen Rick Sanchez fired by CNN for expressing his opinion about Jon Stewart. We've seen NPR fire Juan Williams for expressing his opinion on Muslims and airport security. We've heard Al Sharpton (who called for me to be silenced from radio) call for the censorship of Rush Limbaugh and other talk show hosts who whom he disagrees.
We've heard a U.S. Senator - Jay Rockefeller - on the floor of the U.S. Senate ask that the FCC shut down Fox News. We've heard an FCC commissioner - one of 5 men who decide what can air on our radio and television stations - call for the monitoring and regulation of news. All of this to support an alleged right that is
NOT
in the Constitution -
the right not to be offended
.
So, I am committing myself to supporting free speech in any way I can, beginning with moving my program to a venue which reveres free speech. Check my website at
www.drlaura.com
to learn more about my move. I will use my new format to continue to help people be and do better in their lives as well as provide a forum of open discussion on such controversial topics as racism, abortion, religion, the destructive influence of feminism, and on and on.
I am energized by all that has happened to me, not only recently but over the three decades of my career.
In January, my new book
Surviving a Shark Attack (On Land)
, deals with betrayals and revenge. I have some surprising things to say and to reveal.
