APC Forum world-wide has been reduced to an arena of indecency and hate

It is unbelievable that a forum that was established to discuss issues of development and how to move APC party forward has been reduced to a forum of indecency, hate and calumny.  The self-styled party supporters who are disappointed and disgruntled over out-living their lives in the Diaspora without anything to account for both in Sierra Leone and abroad have transformed themselves into hooligans and immoralist to rein invectives and outrageous anger to progressive and productive APC members.  Why are these self-styled and destructive APC members venting their frustration and anger against decent and productive party members?  The answer is two-fold: they are angry because they are not qualified to hold positions of trust in the APC government which most of them have been lobbying President Ernest Koroma since his ascendancy to power.  Lastly, they are indecent and immoral which is portrayed in their behavior in the APC forum where they can express themselves indecently to satisfy their whims and caprices.

It is sad to note that even in an era where civility and decency is the order the day world-wide, some of these disgruntled forumites still live in dark ages in spite of education they purport to posses.  To express one’s views on issues doesn’t warrant an individual to go the extreme of libeling or using uncouth languages to innocent and productive people.  When such happens, there is need to question the person’s upbringing and educational standard.

If we as party members of the APC are to be respected in the outside we have to start from within.  It will be counter productive and catastrophic if a forum established to deliberate on issues of importance pertaining to Sierra Leone is transformed to forum of barbarians, immoralists and incivility.   Freedom of speech is not a license to malign and libel anyone.   If people want to vent their anger and frustrations to anyone and they can’t do it logically, there is a legal system that is protective of everyone irrespective of race, color, creed or social affiliation.  The need for decency and moral laws to govern all APC world-wide forumites is necessary to avoid hooligans and illiterates dominating and polluting this worthwhile cause.

Also, decency laws should be created to enforce the usage of politically correct words in professional atmospheres, so as not to offend anyone. Many will argue that the first amendment in the U.S.A. guarantees the freedom of speech and that this law would limit that freedom; however, in this case that theory does not hold because the first amendment is only correct, provided that it does not infringe upon anyone else’s individual rights. This law would hold individuals accountable for their acts of speech and would also aid in enforcing verbal appropriateness. By creating this law, people will be more conscious of their speech and would be less likely to say something offensive or discriminatory for fear of being penalized. In addition, it would assist in constructing an even greater professional and tension-free forum for both men and women alike.
Hence, my proposal for some sort of law that entitles people to be in a professional environment is not far fetched. “It is a belief that Political Correctness has gotten out of hand. People have to be constantly cautious about what they say, what they believe in, and the activities they partake in.” It is agreed that it should not be this way and that, at times, “It stifles free speech. This is arguably the most sacred right in our country. If you are afraid to speak your mind, then you are not practicing free speech. Nevertheless, it is not free speech if someone else is paying the price of being offended. By freely speaking what may insult someone else would be snatching them of their 14th amendment, which guarantees the pursuit of happiness. Is speaking fervently about something that may be unpleasant to another person worth the cost of their happiness and their own freedoms?
Ethics play a major role in any discussion. Is it really free speech if someone’s happiness is at a cost? Is anything free? How ethical is it to stretch the first amendment out of context just to encompass the selfishness of one? Many questions can arise from this topic, for it is not a simple matter. That is why a line needs to be drawn, but where? If a law is created and enforced, then over time there will be less room for implications and offenses to be taken.
I may not have the best solution, or it may seem as if I pose no solution at all, but the fact is that there is a problem in the forum with politically correct speech in environments where there should not be any. Hopefully one day, to be correct, will mean that one is being politically correct.

Joseph S. Sherman, Washington, DC

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