25 February 2008
giving up your voice
what does it mean in this day and age, in this country, to give up one's voice?
well, the constitution guarantees free speech and expression, whatever that means. and we are asked to express ourselves in every social and academic situation. ("how are you?" or "what do you think about...?") expression even comes down to what we wear, how we comb our hair, and who we hang out with.
we use our voices to communicate information, to give our opinion, to sing, to laugh, and to warn. some of us have been accused to giving up our voice too much, and others not enough.
our voice is enough to get people elected to public office. it's enough to have changes made to any part of this society—if the voice is strong enough.
shakespeare says: (polonius, from hamlet act I scene 3) "give every man thy ear, but few thy voice."
james says, in his letter to followers of jesus scattered around palestine:
"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear...Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like." (Jas 1:19,22-24 MSG)
giving up our voice is important, but giving up our ears is just as important, if not more so.
this was our first open mic event, and while it had limited attendance, we had a great discussion about voicing your concerns and listening. the clip was the last scenes of an episode of arrested development (titled "sobs" for "save our bluths"). it is recommended, as is the entire series, for it is very hysterical.
¶ 10:08 AM
well, the constitution guarantees free speech and expression, whatever that means. and we are asked to express ourselves in every social and academic situation. ("how are you?" or "what do you think about...?") expression even comes down to what we wear, how we comb our hair, and who we hang out with.
we use our voices to communicate information, to give our opinion, to sing, to laugh, and to warn. some of us have been accused to giving up our voice too much, and others not enough.
our voice is enough to get people elected to public office. it's enough to have changes made to any part of this society—if the voice is strong enough.
shakespeare says: (polonius, from hamlet act I scene 3) "give every man thy ear, but few thy voice."
james says, in his letter to followers of jesus scattered around palestine:
"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear...Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like." (Jas 1:19,22-24 MSG)
giving up our voice is important, but giving up our ears is just as important, if not more so.
this was our first open mic event, and while it had limited attendance, we had a great discussion about voicing your concerns and listening. the clip was the last scenes of an episode of arrested development (titled "sobs" for "save our bluths"). it is recommended, as is the entire series, for it is very hysterical.
¶ 10:08 AM
