Public Discourse

Speaking truth to power means a shift in the peoples’ way of thinking about violence what to do to reject it by committing themselves to peace in all the things that they engage in on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the authorities in power do not like the idea of speaking truth to power and majority do not want practice it. Public discourse is a public speech or discussion to discuss and address important matters concerning a country or just public issues. As an anthropologist activist, there are various ways one can contribute to public discourse such as supporting civilization, preach democracy, and discussing on matters of justice.

Practicing and preaching democracy is very important in facilitating public discourse through allowing public participation in development matters. Some rules and standards by leaders in some countries can exclude some participants in public discourse. According to proper democracy, all information should be made publicly available to any interested individuals in the country. The equality of all people before the law especially in the matters concerning health and education for all constitute democracy. In many cases, politics, and social life has caused a decrease to public discourse due to the social transformations that have occurred in the recent years. Some reformers think that politics and development in a country belong to a few mighty individuals. To enhance democracy, public scrutiny is very important and incorporation of virtues such as direct election of leaders, elimination of racial discrimination, the voting rights reforms, and participation of women in leadership. The political arena is a good platform for enhancing public discourse to enhance democracy, which allows open views to various parties such as journalists and commentators. Media influence on political and other views can affect the level of democracy as some of their news focus on attacks, assertions, and troubles as oppose to constructive argument and solutions, which are fundamental to civil discourse. The Western countries have been trying to bring democracy to all the places in the world and give everybody freedom of speech. Many countries have tried to have democratic governments although there is a big challenge as many face challenges such as tribalism, capitalism, and racism.

Another way to contribute to public discourse is through encouraging civilization, which defines cultural and social interactions in addressing various issues. Civilization provides a broad identification of people bringing out about the interactions and achievements of the people in different races. Civilization can bring unity to people of the same races or cultures and can also cause divides. The best civilization is the one that encourages public discourse and leads to unity among people of different races. The civilization of cultures ensures peoples’ cultures overwrap and in most cases empires and governments come and go, but civilization remain and has been there for a living period. Civilization may take the form of religion such as Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. To or more states, which are sufficiently in contact brings about a united international system in which they influence each other’s decisions. Common decisions constitute public discourse and addresses issues of discrimination. Civilized societies find acceptance in many countries through mechanization, technology, culture, and material factors. The overall way of life by various citizens involving norms, values, modes of thinking, and institutions for many generations. When people change their way of thinking, discussing public issues become quite easy and results to a united nation. Western civilization brought a lot of changes especially in African countries by changing their way of thinking, behavior, and governance. Tribal identities and tribalism have diminished since the onset of civilization in many developing countries, and public discourse is now common in addressing problems affecting various countries. Civilization brings about conflict ideologies such as communism, fascism, and liberal democracy a factor that contributes to public discourse in addressing the problems of a country. The wars had been a common phenomenon before civilization came up, and nations went into wars fighting for boundaries, natural resources, and their animals. The Marxism in Russia and china and Vietnam brought about bulti civilization allowing good governance through public discussions.

Another way to contribute to public discourse is preaching justice for all especially on the crimes considered to be hardcore criminals. Crime is rampant with the majority of the crimes involving murder and many criminals facing death penalties in various countries. Speaking out on the importance of justice for all regardless of the crime committed is an important contribution to public discourse especially in enveloping countries. The law has to be there to serve justice to the suspect as some of them are not guilty while others are first offenders. Justice ensures that the right of individuals are not interfered with that people enjoy their property without any interference. There must be written laws to help resolve conflicts involving serious crimes such as robbery and murder. Judges have different views concerning different cases under their jurisdiction and approach them differently, which can affect justice. There must exist fixed justice systems with principles to be followed by the law officers to give a fair judgment. There is a heated debate concerning the morality of capital punishment especially during the execution. Many people believe that the death penalty can hinder others from committing serious crimes but civilized communities belief that the death sentence is not varied if there is no clear evidence. Many industrialized countries have done away with death penalties as to them the act is barbaric. Voicing out on matters concerning justice for all is very important to prevent law officers from sentencing people on the basis of their skin color, class, or poverty. Public discourse on justice will help in creating a society that does not tolerate racism or tribalism while giving judgment. Some countries such as Texas used to lynch suspects under death penalty (Toobin ).

In conclusion, public discourse is very important in solving society and national issues such as justice and maintains democracy through civilization. A civilized community solves disputes in an orderly and lawful way to avoid any discrimination of its citizens and other foreigners. As a matter of fact, public speech has led to several changes in many countries of the world as the advice gives leaders a chance to change the old laws such as death penalties and adopt good governance that ensures that person’ rights and freedoms are observed. Through public discourse, one can address many issues affecting a particular state, province, or continents such as discrimination and lack of civilization. Democracy is very important in many countries since it gives citizens the power to speak out and contribute towards national development by contributing ideas that help in the nation building. In democratic countries, people participate in matters concerning governance, which help in its development and growth.