The brutal murder of Samuel Paty, a teacher in France on Friday, spun freedom of expression back into the media spotlight. Freedom of speech is, after all, a bedrock of Western democracy – not only the safeguarding of the expression of thoughts, feelings, and opinions but also, critically, the right and opportunity to be exposed to those of other people and groups too. The same principle applies in liberal education: learning, development, creativity and innovation emerge from the interaction of diverse insights, experiences and ideas; sometimes awkwardly or angrily if they clash, yet vital for healthy growth. Emmanuel Macron has described the current Kairos moment as an existential crisis: a fundamental conflict between secular, liberal European values and those of radical Islam. A broader cultural backdrop is, however, a struggle between freedom of speech and freedom from harm, where the latter includes freedom from offence. Brendan O’Neill commented last weekend that, in France, “cancel culture turned murderous…the (teacher’s) beheading was a militarised expression of (it).” The silencing of a voice, the no-platforming of a dissenting view, can lead to dire unintended consequences. Coming from a very different place politically to O’Neill, Douglas Murray struck a strikingly similar chord in, ‘The Madness of Crowds’ (2019/20): “We are going through a great…derangement”. Cultural and technological upheavals are driving humanity at breakneck speed into uncharted territories where many hitherto beliefs, values and assumptions are being stress-tested to their limits. Grasping at simplistic and polarising stances – no matter how irrational – is one way to feel safer and more purposeful in the world. So, question: What do these feverish times call for from us, as leaders, coaches, trainers and OD?
20 Comments
Julie Bullen
22/10/2020 05:18:48 pm
....maybe we need to think seriously about how to bring different cultures to a respectful understanding of each other so that we can live peacefully together with our differences - to do this we may also need to challenge the times when immigration is based on economic exploitation that builds animosity with local workers whose wages are undercut and ultimately animosity in those being exploited...how do we build an ethical basis to immigration? How will we develop a mutual appreciation of cultural sensitivities and acceptance as well allowing for challenge and respecting difference.
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Nick Wright
22/10/2020 05:35:20 pm
Hi Julie and thank you for posting such a thoughtful response. I think you illustrated well how broad political, social and economic factors can influence different perspectives, experiences and actions. I believe this is something we need to take into account in our leadership, coaching, training and OD. Nothing we and/or our clients perceive and/or experience takes place in a cultural-contextual vacuum.
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Julie Bullen
22/10/2020 06:47:09 pm
Its so complex! Maybe we need to start talking more with people we tend not to talk with! Maybe there could be some TV discussions set up on this basis to help us see what could be possible and how to steer a way through difficulties. And again, we often use immigration to exploit people in England - in countries where that is not the core intention, they are more careful who is admitted and there are attempts to help people understand the culture.
Nick Wright
22/10/2020 07:00:33 pm
Yes, it is complex! In my experience, dialogue with people and groups from very different backgrounds who are interested and motivated to reach common understanding, greater respect for one-another etc. can be very fruitful.
Julie Bullen
23/10/2020 10:28:55 am
Shall we try something together Nick?
Nick Wright
23/10/2020 10:30:05 am
Intriguing. What do you have in mind?
Julie Bullen
25/10/2020 03:54:16 pm
No idea -yet! Shall we talk? Skype/Zoom etc....
Nick Wright
25/10/2020 05:59:42 pm
Hi Julie. I had an idea after speaking with a Syrian psychologist friend in France today. She has some deeply profound insights, experiences and ideas in this area; particularly vis a vis how to build peace, respect and understanding across cultural boundaries. I'll email you with further details.
Aida Bermudo S
22/10/2020 05:38:15 pm
From the short article, Nick, I don't see why this happened. Can you explain in a sentence or two why was he murdered?
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Nick Wright
22/10/2020 06:00:36 pm
Hi Aida. That's a very good question...and a very difficult one to answer because there are so many complex dimensions to this issue.
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Chaima Ayassi
24/10/2020 02:30:46 pm
Je ne suis pas Samuel
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Nick Wright
25/10/2020 03:52:17 pm
Merci, Chaima, d'avoir présenté un défi aussi réfléchi. Oui, si la «liberté d'expression» n'est pas combinée avec d'autres valeurs profondes, comme un engagement à aimer, respecter et honorer les autres, elle peut créer un environnement très hostile. Je défends le droit à la liberté d'expression de tout mon cœur. Je crois aussi passionnément que nous devrions utiliser notre liberté pour de bon, et non comme une excuse pour abuser des croyances chères aux autres.
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Chaima Ayassi
25/10/2020 05:56:15 pm
Bien dit.
Nick Wright
25/10/2020 05:56:35 pm
Merci!
Abdelhak El Gataa
25/10/2020 04:02:12 pm
Nick, it's not true, he was conscious that he what he was showing hurt the sensitivity of a part of the class. Your liberty of expression doesn't allow u to heat others and lose respect of them. There are thousands of means to talk and explain about without humiliating any one. Respect and acceptance are the keys of the living together in peace.
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Nick Wright
25/10/2020 04:46:08 pm
Hi Abdelhak and thank you for posing a constructive challenge. I think there are at least two different issues here: (a) freedom of expression and (b) how we use that freedom. I agree with freedom of expression in a liberal democratic society. At the same time, I believe that such freedom should be used for good and not, say, to hurt or insult the treasured beliefs of others.
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Abdelhak El Gataa
25/10/2020 06:02:44 pm
I totally agree with u. I don't agree either with the assassination. The teacher was doing so intentionally at the point to ask Muslim students to leave the class if they want. But why have a part of the classic to be pushed to leave? We all know that there's always some people who miss react when they are provocated. For me both are died killed and both are to blame.
Nick Wright
25/10/2020 06:13:18 pm
Hi Abdelhak and thank you for the honesty in your response. My impression from reports I have read in the media is that the teacher was wanting to illustrate the boundaries and limits of 'freedom of expression', as part of a classroom discussion on free speech in France as a secular liberal society.
Stephen Whiteley
6/12/2020 05:57:44 am
Yes, we have two directions we can go in. More violence and aggression or more love and compassion. Each one begets more of itself. Let's choose love and compassion. ❤ 😊
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Nick Wright
6/12/2020 06:03:21 am
Yes indeed to that, Simon! 😃🙏💛 What’s your sense of what love and compassion could/should look like in, say, the current situation in France?
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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