I think that a great example of this was with the BLM protest that was to take place at the TC marathon. There is definitely an abundance of opinions surrounding this matter, but specifically where I think this fits within the public discourse ethics of the public arena as "sacred space"is that this is where they were finally given a voice in front of those in public office. They were allowed to have closed conversations with the mayor and others. They had to push to get their voices heard in front of someone one but this is exactly what is meant by us not being able to get to comfortable within this space. When law makers, elected officials, and people in general get to comfortable with how things are or their views and don't allow for others it takes more effort to be heard within the public space. Do you feel this is why the public arena needs to be protected as a "sacred space"?
Monday, October 19, 2015
public as "sacred space"
"Public discourse ethics assumes that the public arena is a "sacred space"--a space to be protected, a space that is honored and valued. To nourish this space is to keep before us diversity of ideas and persons while keeping the private arena differentiated and clear."(109) This theory seeks to protect the public domain in a capacity that every voice has an equal place to be heard, and warns against becoming too comfortable within this space. Comfort can mean that we have shut out others opinions or are refusing to be open to hear other voices and opinions that aren't in line with ours. This is the exact reason that public space needs to be considered "sacred space". It needs to be a domain for everyone and every opinion to be voiced. It needs to have an open forum for all voices with all messages whether they are political messages, value messages, code and conduct messages, and anything and everything in between.
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I definitely agree that the public arena should be protected as a "sacred space." I suppose going beyond the TC marathon, the internet in general - more specifically, in social media - the #blacklivesmatter movement should have an avenue where they're free to express their opinions and concerns, without being attacked for it. Social media is of course an easy arena for opposition to thrive, but proponents of this movement shouldn't need to feel uneasy about voicing their opinions across social media about it. I learned in a previous class about a theory called "The Spiral of Silence," in that people will refuse to let their voice be heard on the basis that they'd be casted out by their peers. This shouldn't be the case in a public arena, and people should be allowed to be heard without the dangers of being attacked for it.
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