Hank Williams Jr. tests free-speech tolerance
Here’s a quick two-step self-test of how you really feel about free expression.
Step one: What did you think about Hank Williams Jr. comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler? Should Monday Night Football stop using Williams’ “Are You Ready for Some Football?”
Step two: How did you feel about Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks telling a London audience that she was embarrassed that President Bush was from her home state of Texas? Was Cumulus Broadcasting right to ban the Dixie Chicks from airplay on their radio stations?
Those who defended the Dixie Chicks on free-speech grounds should be among those most vocal about Williams’ right to share his views.
And those who applauded the trampling and burial of Dixie Chicks CDs should now be calling for a boycott of Williams.
Of course, it doesn’t work that way. There’s a tendency to defend the free speech of those whose views we share, while condemning the abrasive comments of those on the other side. Too often we let politics trump principles.
Yet the parallels between the two incidents are clear. In both cases, musicians publicly insulted the president and were unapologetic when criticized for their comments.
Yes, Williams’ attack on Obama was particularly harsh and Maines made the comment in another country just as our nation was about to go to war. But at the core, these incidents are the same: entertainers using their visibility to criticize the government.
To be clear, there’s no First Amendment issue in either case. This wasn’t the government censoring citizens. But implicit in our free-speech guarantees is a recognition that one of this nation’s greatest strengths is the free flow of ideas and opinions, no matter how pointed.
Some would argue that free speech isn’t free, and that you have to suffer the consequences when you say something particularly incendiary. But shouldn’t the price of provocative speech be public criticism, not censorship and economic boycotts?
For my part, I’m perfectly happy to hear the Dixie Chicks on my radio and have Hank Williams Jr. open my football games. Support for free speech shouldn’t hinge on the current resident of the White House.
Tags: boycott, Bush, censorship, music, music censorship, Obama
19 Responses to “Hank Williams Jr. tests free-speech tolerance”
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Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer/First Amendment Center. Previously, Paulson served as editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today and USATODAY.com.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is a scholar at the First Amendment Center. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ABOUT THE LAST THING BARRAC HUSSEIN OBAMA HAS NOT DESTROYED IN AMERICA. HE MUST GO IN 2012
Dean, it’s not because he isn’t trying to destroy our ‘Freedom of Speech’! I hope the people across the political lines understand how dangerous it would be to elect this President for a second term. Nothing is better…everything is considerably worse. My husband and I are small business owners in California and barely hanging on after 34 years of hard work! He needs to go!
[...] excerpt of Paulson’s post is below. You can read the entire piece by clicking here. Here’s a quick two-step self-test of how you really feel about free [...]
I like both the Dixie Chicks and Hank Jr. and totally agree with Ken. I’m not sure that Hank had the best analogy there, but I catch his drift.
Great column. I agree 100 percent. However, Ken, Hitler’s first name is spelled “Adolf.”
Thanks for that catch. Fixed.
Hank Williams Jr has the right to free speech like any other American citizen. Unlike most of us who have normal jobs and our comments are not echoed beyond our four cubicle walls, he works for ESPN and gets paid by them as the face of their MNF pre-game show. Mr. Williams is constantly promoted by this network through his pre-game act that is seen by millions, and his infamy because of these words is a reflection of the network’s success. Obviously he is exceptional at his work up as represented by the over 20+ years he’s been on the show. ESPN, which has invested $1.9 BILLION in this show, wants the most return for their investment by maximizing the viewership and ad revenue. His comments, while guaranteed by free speech, destabilizes their viewership and may costs ESPN ad money. As any fiscally responsible company would do, ESPN is doing the right thing by protecting their image and disassociating from Mr. Williams to protect their investment. While I believe that Mr. Williams has the right to free speech, his rights is limited whenever he works and represents his company. I would believe that ESPN stipulates that Mr. Williams maintains a honorary image all the time, which means Mr. Williams is working 24/7/265, and Mr. Williams is not doing so with in good faith with ESPN by saying these statements.
The First Amendment is the heart and brain blood of our representative republic. Mr. Paulson is correct — there is no First Amendment issue here. Both cases are economic or marketplace choices with political consequences (unless and until someone can demonstrate a Federal Government hand in the cancellation of “entertainers” free expression).
The English language use of analogy allows the hearer to wonder — whom was Hank, Jr., making reference to as to which government leader(?).
If you watched the actual interview there is no doubt who is paired with Hitler in that analogy. Gretchen pushes back a little on the comment and Hank makes it clear that Obama was Hitler in his example.
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The First Amendment does guarantee freedom of speech, but not a continuing partnership with those who disagree.
I actually felt the Cumulus was well within their rights to refuse to play the Dixie Chicks just as feel that ABC/ESPN is well within their rights. The First Amendment has nothing to do with our “tolerance” of free speech; it is strictly to keep the government from interfering with it. Private entities can do whatever they want within the confines of the law. I cannot wear political or opinion buttons or post signs at my place of employment without consequences: this is no different. It seems to me that Mr. Paulson and this center need to look at the true meaning of “free speech”. I don’t ever have to accept anyone else’s words just their right to be as big of a jack— as they want.
“For my part, I’m perfectly happy to hear the Dixie Chicks on my radio and have Hank Williams Jr. open my football games. Support for free speech shouldn’t hinge on the current resident of the White House.”
Thank you. I love the Dixie Chicks, and I love that Monday Night Football song. As a Saints fan, it always gets me amped up when the Saints are featured in the lyrics, a pleasure I had to often go years without having.
First Hank says he was misquoted, and then Hank says he yanked his song because ESPN interfered with his First Amendment rights. Hank, when you find yourself in a hole, quit digging!
By the way, does anyone remember what Hank had to say regarding the Dixie Chicks’ Natalie maines’ comment about Bush? I think I know-and that’s the acid test.
We couldn’t find any quote from Hank Williams Jr. about the Dixie Chicks.
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!” “for it is the power of God unto Salvation!” to the Jew first and also to the Greek! Chapter and verse? Get out of typing practice on cell phone. apologies!
@flafan777 on twitter thanks , Paul the Apostle wrote that.
It is important to understand i could write for a life time amd never satisfy the importance of such a unusual set of events. The timing is uncanny!
don;t blame hank for doing the media’s job-good job hank…