Juan Williams, contributor for both Fox News and NPR, was fired by NPR earlier this week after making controversial statements on The O'Reilly Factor, through which he explained his ongoing fear of those dressed in "Muslim garb" when he flies. What I've posted is an article laying out NPR's side, Tim Wise's essay speaking against William's firing and also Williams' actual statement on Fox News. It is interesting to critique these as examples of media framing, and to analyze each side with notice paid to the opposing terminology used as positional validation. The NPR article suggests that the CEO was righteous in firing Williams on the basis of his opinionated comments since NPR encourages objectivity from its analysts and reporters. Vis a vis, Wise contends that "white liberals" at NPR are simply denying the prejudicial tendencies that exist in each of us as we are continually bombarded by a rhetorically racist hegemony. Williams merely expressed his self-awareness and was crucified for it by NPR.
What I take issue with is not so much Williams' admission of fear - I'm sure many people continue to fear false stereotypes such as these - but his use of the phrase "Muslim garb" is a sickening generalization that seeks to scapegoat rather than promote cultural appreciation or tolerance. Forgive my sarcasm, but I would love it if someone could please tell me what Muslim garb is - I don't believe anyone can. It seems like what Williams really meant is "Arab" when he said this, yet another example of the commonly mistaken conflation of Arabs with Muslims and a total misrepresentation in my opinion, since not all Arabs are Muslim, and vice versa.
On a side note, Williams was offered an extended contract and pay raise at Fox News post-firing. Fox must be pleased to now have Williams all to itself.
How do you feel? Was NPR justified, or is Wise correct?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130713285&sc=fb&cc=fp
http://www.timwise.org/tag/juan-williams/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRwok2Ffoys
I'm not sure whether or not I feel NPR was justified in firing Williams. Their main point of reference in the firing of Williams is the NPR code of ethics. This wasn't the first time Williams made disparaging remarks on FOX News. Why did this incident and particular comment cause him to get terminated. NPR certainly didn't handle the firing well. They released a statement just after midnight a few days after the comment was made that explained that Williams was fired. Williams asked for a sit down with NPR to discuss the situation and how exactly his comments crossed the line but NPR decline. NPR needed to be more attentive to this situation but instead hoped it would just fade away from the media.
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