A Nation Asleep
by Michael Grant
A NATION ASLEEP
"Until they have become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious"
- George Orwell
We are here today in a search for knowledge. I think all of us want to
learn about each other and even ourselves. But I find it curious that so few of
us wish to know what the government is doing. Today, as we speak, our
legislators our making decisions which will ultimately effect our lives. Yet,
we do not seem to care. Is ignorance bliss? I cannnot believe that or we would
not be here today. But how many of you know how many Justices are on the
Supreme Court and what their names are? What is the issue on the Hill today and
who is lobbying for and against it? I can't pass judgement on you because I too
am guilty of ignorance.
The people of the United States have not been in touch with their
government for a long time. Even during 1930s people thought, as some do today,
that they could live comfortably off their Social Security Checks. Now our
elderly have no money and many have low standards of living and poor medical
care. It was never fully explained to them just what Social Security was. It
was their responsibility to ask.
Can anyone tell me the difference between Soviet propaganda and a United
States press release? Or Libyan Terrorists and American Commandoes? A lot of
people probably could tell you. They would say that the government hides
nothing and lets us draw our own conclusions and that the Soviets are always
bias. They would say that commandoes were brave men, highly skilled in
demolitions, used for dismantling enemy installations. A terrorist is scum who
uses car bombs and kills for obscure political groups. Of course we know that
depending on your point of view there is no difference. But people accept what
the government tells them. This can't go on. Believing without thinking is
criminal.
So what is the impact of letting the government make my decisions for me?
What will not knowing who votes for what and when hurt me? Lot's of people knew
of the problems with Savings and Loans. But no one seemed to question or
inquire into its "questionable" actions. No one seemd to notice the large
amounts of money appearing in legislators bank accounts, coming from the S&ls.
And now it will cost the taxpayers 225 billion dollars to bailout these
bankrupt institutions.
No one seemed to question the Red Scare of the 1950s. In 1946 a Soviet
spy-ring was discovered in Canada. Rumors started to fly about officials being
"commies" and they were aiding the evil socialists. President Harry S. Truman
established the Temporary Commision on Employee Loyalty. By the time the
commission had finished investigating over 3 million people, 212 were dismissed
and another 2000 forced to resign. Senator Joe McArthy had a list of 57 people,
all who were supposedly communists. It was rumored he had a personal list of
205. Senators resigned, actors couldn't get work and unrest was created in
local government. While all this was happening almost no one stood up and said,
"Why?"
Ah, but I see you are not impressed. Let me try to demonstrate something
you might be able to relate to better, censorship. Our decision to not
interfere has let the government slowly censor us. They use words like
"ratings" to cover up their true purpose and justify it by "protecting" us from
"offensive" material. Most likely you have heard of the proposal for "record
labeling". Recently the rap band 2 LIVE CREW was banned in the state of
Florida. No records or concerts, no t-shirts or buttons from this band will be
sold their for a very long time. They were "offensive" and the government felt
that they were not "fit" for listening. The government has in effect, told the
people of Florida what they can and cannot listen to. I have not heard of
anyone doing anything about it.
As the Supreme Court passed judgement that flag burning was a right of
free speech Congress went into action. They proposed an amendment to the
Constitution to save "Old Glory". Flag burning was an "insult" to democracy. It
was "offensive" to our way of life. If this amenment were passed would the
government be allowed to outlaw all "offensive" material. Would books like
1984, ANIMAL FARM, A BRAVE NEW WORLD and WE be burned. Would people caugh
listening to John Sinclair with MC5 be arrested. And most importantly, would
anyone care.
I would certainly hope so. But as I watch the world operate I do not
believe so. As society is today, the only thing that counts is "me." Unless
some government action has a direct affect on you, it is none of your concern.
This is the way the world works today and probably will work for quite awhile.
If a problem affects a certain intrest group we do not support them because it
is not our problem. And when a problem effects you no one supports you because
it is not their problem. Slowly the government gains control, passing a law
here, sending money their while no one is there to stop them.
Is their an end to this madness? Yes, but it begins with us. We must take
an injustice against an individual and fight it as if it were our own. We can
no longer be content with climbing to the top by throwing others off the
ladder. We must not only do what is good for us but do what is right for us.
And over all we must care.
I am going to tell you a story that my father told me when I was younger.
He told me a story about a man who was interviewed by American Reporters after
the liberation of the Concentration Camps at the end of World War Two. They
asked him how they could let their country go so far. He said:
" First they came for the Jews. I was not Jewish so I say nothing. Then
they came for the rich. I was not rich so I say nothing. Then they came for me.
And there was no one left to say anything anymore."
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This is the text of the speech given by Michael Grant and MIFA speech
competition on March 17, 1990. I have no objection to its duplication. However
I ask that you do not give this speech yourself since I intend to go to state
competition with it this year.
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