Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds. …
Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.
— Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from the Birmingham Jail
There is a healthy debate about the ability of social media to elevate hate speech or suppress unpopular opinions. The debate has spilled over to the media, where the press is criticized for giving “liars” a platform and there are calls to present only the news that advances the cause of “truth” — but how do we know what’s true if we’re only hearing one side of the story?
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