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I THINK WE ARE ACTUALLY ON THE SAME SIDE.

Just read over the comments and it seems that both of us are saying the same thing - don’t silence them.

The topic at hand here in my opinion has nothing to do with the Afrikaner or racism but resides more in the moderation of “free speech” content.

The point I am trying to make is whether we allow a group like this to be censored based on their believe system, or do we allow the freedom to express their opinion to be public in what can be perceived as open domain.

I am not saying what the group or like minded groups stands for is correct. I, as for million of other might disagree, but there are those who would agree and feel the same.

What I am saying about the China connection is that we can’t allow ourselves to become a moderated online community.

We simply can’t.

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Just think it through slowly - There aren’t just two sides to this argument but I’ve listened to the two presented here. I will try to put it simply… One of the many other alternative arguments is something called freedom of expression.

Many people, institutions and governments have found Freedom of Expression uncomfortable and have tried to silence it through a variety of techniques, including what happened here, what you are supporting.

For me the most important principle here is the right of people to express themselves freely. If you feel strongly anti-“racial exclusivity” and see a club like this then by all means start your own club. Don’t destroy this one.

In addition, we may just learn something of value from the increasingly loud message of racial unity the Afrikaans nation is talking about. The Afrikaaner who emigrates from SA tends (statistically), to achieve more in his new chosen country than those that emigrate there from Europe or elsewhere in the world, particularly those from Africa. Why? He is usually less educated. He is sometimes bigoted against other races and he speaks differently. This is one of the many questions about the Afrikaaner I would love to have the answer to but I can’t get the answer if I don’t listen to the Afrikaaner’s argument, their point of view.

Every Afrikaaner who leaves his “Fatherland” makes Africa poorer and the country of his destination richer. A study by the World Bank showed that a young 24 year old Afrikaans graduate leaving South Africa is equivalent to South Africa giving the country he emigrates to the sum of US$ 2.4 Million in foreign aid. Ouch!!!

And you say the best way is to silence these people, to make them feel unwelcome, to chase them out through censorship and bullying tactics. Ever thought of just listening to them???

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Please go read over your comments again. Clearly you are a bit confused as to who is supporting which side of this argument.

Basically, I am left wondering what you are on about.

Have you ever considered a future in politics?

Also please note the difference between putting forward an argument vs an expression. Huge difference my friend.

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My post is about freedom of expression, without trying to drown out the other person’s message. Each has a message, no matter how misguided YOU may think it is. Are you sure their message is so evil, so wrong that you must destroy it. That’s the sign of a weak thinker. South Africa’s future success will lie where argument is countered through reasoned and friendly argument, not bullying and forced silencing of the counter argument. Your response could have come from Malema or countless typical other’s from our continent.

Try your hand at this – What’s your reasoned counter-argument to a group of people who want to remain racially exclusive and who believe that they are superior to some others in society.

Yes, it’s much more difficult than bullying them into silence but it’ll be much more rewarding too for our dysfunctional and immoral society. Maybe we can learn something from them, maybe they can learn something from us.

Man convinced against his will… is of the same opinion still… Have we convinced these Afrikaaners? Have they convinced us? Have we even spoken to each other?

Ag Same on you “The Source” – very weak argument bra… Want to try again!

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It must be hard being you… and like-minded. Why would you want to moderate the web. I think one China is enough, don’t you.

So you have a group on Facebook who has an issue and express it. So we have the media reporting on it.

If one guy and 10 friends believe that the world started from a bean sprout it doesn’t mean we have a new system of faith on our hands.

Embrace opinion - it is the last freedom we have.

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There is NO moderation of the web when you go stomping on others who have different views to you, views that you disagree with or views that make you angry. Moderation is in creating alternatives. We South Africans have a pathological need to vent our spleen on anything that does not match our sanitised and often distorted view of how others should act. This is very dangerous!!!

In my view, this need to comply with what is currently politically expedient is vastly more dangerous than the Aparthate of our past. Just look at the mess our country is in right now. Who is a greater threat to our country? Some racist students or a future State President accused of corruption and who is unwilling to face the courts on these charges.

Freedom of association and freedom of expression – these two parts of our constitution are critical to the survival of our country yet we treat them with so little respect. What future our great country when we all sing the same Machinewame song? (Zuma’s pathetic signature tune) What future our great country when we stamp out dissent? Is South Africa still great – after watching the response to this facebook incident, I’m not so sure…

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But, you know, it’s Facebook. Therefore, when someone makes a stupid comment, we should all hop on board and take it as seriously as possible, because it’s an affront to our democracy, our values, and everything we stand for as a nation.

WTF?

If you can’t stand the heat…

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I seem to remember plenty Afrikaners jumping in a denouncing the group.

As you say, this isn’t about race - this is a little micro social experiment we see unfolding…

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