Why does
BlackCommentator.com present opposing
commentaries? Why do we not speak with one,
cohesive voice of the “Progressive Black
Community?” The answer is: there cannot
possibly be just one voice of the Progressive
Black Community, nor any other group of
people, as long as we revere freedom of
thought and speech.
Yes, but shouldn’t
a publication take an editorial stand and only
publish that which falls within some
prescribed editorial opinion? Perhaps that is
true of other publications both on the web and
in print, but it is not true of
BlackCommentator.com. In fact, it is contrary
to our core belief of what BC should
provide to our readers.
At BC, we
firmly believe that it is through discussion
and debate of divergent opinions that we gain
in understanding, and therefore may be brought
closer together - not that we will come to
speak with one voice on every issue, but will
grow in our critical thinking.
We believe in
inclusiveness of all those who consider
themselves to be Progressive thinkers. How
better to develop one’s own, unique opinions
than to understand divergent points of view?
Surely, it would be racist and sexist, for
example, to expect all Progressive, Black men
to speak with one voice or to suppose all
Progressive, Native American women think alike
about every issue, or that any group with a
common identity all have identical thinking.
When we see the goings-on among conservatives
we witness (albeit with some admitted relish)
the distress with which certain conservative
white men are learning that not all of them
think alike, either.
Our
editorial approach is to print what we assess
to be well-written, Progressive commentaries,
presenting a compelling point of view. With
that standard as our guide, we, the Executive
Editor and the Publisher, therefore do not
necessarily agree with everything BC
Commentators write; indeed, there are times
when we completely disagree. At those times,
we strive to understand the viewpoint in
question, and then print the commentary so
that our readers will have the same
opportunity. BC doesn’t strive to tell
you what to think, but rather
to give you the information with which to draw
your own conclusions.
If BC can
provide our readers with varying ideas with
which to consider and shape one’s own opinion,
then we will have done much in fulfilling our
purpose to further the development of economic
and social justice – and peace.
Thank you for your
readership and financial support of
BlackCommentator.com. We value each of your
communications as we, collectively, continue
the struggle.
