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2/26/96, amanzella@middlebury.edu, Middlebury, VT USA
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The Music of Our Voices
by Abby Manzella
I am willing to admit that I have very little computer [Image]
background, but that's one of the reasons I'm writing.
This battle isn't just for those working with computers, this is
a battle for all of us. Even though, I don't have much experience
with internet, I have been watching the moves of others involved
with this movement and am highly impressed with what they are
doing. They are creating "family" pages and tours, so that the
children the government feels it needs to "protect" have a place
to go. At the same time the full versions of the material are
still available. In this way, parents can protect their own
children, if they feel the need, yet their is still the freedom
for all to make up their own minds, while the government is kept
out of thought control, a place they will never belong.
The movement has also shown me the power of interaction. People
from all over the world are "speaking" to each other through
their essays and continuous dialogue on e-mail. Now, of course,
not every single one of these people has the same viewpoint, and
that's the wonderful part. At times ideas conflict, and through
that conflict new ideas emerge. Communication is amazing, and
that is what the computer does--create a forum for sharing ideas.
If the government intrudes and stops the flow, ideas will be
suppressed and knowledge lost.
Reader, whoever you are, you may not agree with me, but in this
country that is your right. With the proposal about "decency" in
the Telecomunnication Bill, the first step has been taken to
revoke your right to agree or disagree with me. Therefore, you
should also speak up while you can.
Our voices make music. Sometimes that music is out of key and
dissonant, but it is our music; we have created it. Don't let the
government take away your power to make music, for even though
this bill will only be silencing a note or two right now, those
notes will be missed, and someday the government may only allow
voices that resonant in the major keys which flatter them.
Everyone has the right to sing whether her voice is beautiful or
harsh, whether he hits the notes or not. Most importantly,
sometimes it is the song that is unpopular that draws our
attention the most. Sometimes that dissonance helps us to see
what has previously escaped our glance and helps us to write even
better songs. We may not all like the same music, but by having
all the possibilities available we can fill the world with quite
a song.
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