by Assunta Ng
Northwest Asia Weekly
hambuto
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and outlaw abortion, support the individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense, and most recently, the constitutional right of a Washington state high school football coach to support him on the field with his players for religious freedom pray.
While many were surprised by the court’s decision, I didn’t know that conservative judges appointed by former President Donald Trump and voted for by Republicans now dominate the court. All of these judges want to expand their footprints in every structure of American life. They don’t care about the impact of their actions on society. Nor do they care how the new law will harm ordinary people, including women who are denied abortion rights.
The 4th of July brings us two questions. The purpose of National Day is to celebrate the birth of America’s independence as a nation, free from British tyranny. Unity is not on the Republican agenda. Should we celebrate at this time of division and polarization? Can we do something about the tyranny of the courts? If the Republicans win the election this November with a congressional majority, I’m afraid there’s very little we can do now.
But don’t count on Democrats either. They didn’t act together. Moderates and Socialist Democrats have yet to resolve their ideological differences. For progressive Democrats, the call to “defund the police” appears to be hurting their party more than helping.
Democracy is messy. We spent a lot of time talking and fighting. It’s one of the worst forms of government, but do I want to live in an undemocratic country? Do not. Do not. Do not. While we cannot celebrate “solidarity” at this point, there are many reasons to celebrate. Freedom was one of the important motivations for fighting against Britain. For us Americans, being a free man living in a free country is a big call to celebrate.
Where am I from, there is no such thing as free speech. You can’t criticize the government. Any negative criticism of your government, you’re going to be a dead horse, period.
Imagine those who live in authoritarian countries – people who have to be “pro” to everything the government does. How many times do people pull their lips or lie to survive? How many times have people pretended to be blind just to avoid jail time or avoid being killed?
Not only do I enjoy freedom of speech, but I practice the First Amendment by making a living in the media industry as long as we obey libel laws. A free press means our government is accountable to the people. We don’t need to think twice before criticizing federal, state, county and municipal governments. Anytime someone complains to us about the government, our pen is ready to condemn. That doesn’t mean we only criticize, we give credit where we deserve it. We celebrate great deeds, personal courage and social justice to inspire others to do the right thing. We want to uplift others with the stories we tell. We like to inspire others to collaborate on problems of mutual interest. We encourage others to imagine and share beautiful ideas for the benefit of humanity.
When I first started a newspaper, I thought free speech was a gift. My stepfather, afraid of my adventure, asked, “Don’t you need permission from the government to start a newspaper?” He worried that I was crossing the line.
Whose permission to ask? I don’t need authority to give me permission without authority.
“No, Dad,” I told him, “I just need a business license.” It’s about $20 and less than 10 minutes to apply from the city of Seattle. And no questions were asked during the application process. I wasn’t even a US citizen at the time. That’s how democracy works. In another country, I would be intimidated, my motives questioned, and I might get arrested for trying to start a newspaper.
Having been in the publishing business for forty years, I believe this is not a gift, but the right to publish the printed word. The First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution guarantee freedom of speech. The difference between gift and entitlement is huge. Gifts are not fixed or expected. It is at the mercy of the giver. Rights are rights. You own it, you own it – it’s yours and doesn’t need anyone’s consent. To me, how powerful it is to say, without fear of condemnation, that it is “our right” to write the truth. We can educate our governments to listen and change their views. We can condemn and criticize the government at any time. We can lobby them to make decisions and implement policies that affect our communities.
If government officials, such as former Mayor Ed Murray, set up a navigation center in the Chinatown International District (CID), the consequences for CID are dire.
We will remember him and put it on record for that. Now with Mayor Bruce Harrell, we can share our concerns with him. He has taken action. This is responsibility. The men have returned despite several recent clearings of homeless camps and a regular police mobile unit to stop wandering. On Sunday, June 26th, they were all over Little Saigon, not just a small corner of 12th Avenue South. The problem is clearly not resolved. So we had to bother Mayor Harrell again in this blog and tell him personally. He will have to strategize with his team again to come up with a better solution. That’s how democracy works.
As journalists in the free world, we have the right to ask all kinds of questions, both popular and unpopular. In fact, our job is not to make government officials look good. I don’t even have to think, “Oh, be careful when we scold government officials.” I never even wonder, “Is this the right time?” “Have we hurt their feelings?” We just know it’s our rights. By the way, no official has ever asked, “Are you a U.S. citizen and run a newspaper?” That would be seen as an inappropriate question, with racist connotations. All thanks to the fact that we live in America. Becoming an American immigrant was a gift, and my parents made a huge contribution the moment they agreed to allow me to come to the United States. For that, I am forever grateful to my parents and America. With that in mind, I celebrate July 4th with all my heart. God bless America.
Assunta can reach assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
