We all have the right to express our opinions

The writer is responding to a piece in Saturday’s paper, “Entertainers should entertain,” by Sam Morgan.

Mr. Morgan criticized “Hollywood celebrities” for expressing opinions on matters of politics. He went further than that. According to Mr. Morgan, Hollywood celebrities exist only to entertain him, have “pathetic little lives” and need do nothing more than “ . . . dance, monkeys, dance!”

Mr. Morgan has, apparently, overlooked the fact that whether individuals are Hollywood celebrities or firemen or teachers or hotel housekeepers, every American has the right to express his or her opinion. The “Hollywood celebrities” Mr. Morgan decries made use of the bully pulpits they have available to them in the exact same way that Mr. Morgan did. While he could have shared his opinion and beliefs only with his family, friends and colleagues, Mr. Morgan sent a letter to the newspaper in hopes that it could be disseminated to a larger audience.  Had he been nominated for and won a Golden Globe, perhaps Mr. Morgan would have used that platform to share his views.

The concept that some American citizens, by virtue of their profession, are not entitled to express their opinions is completely contradictory to what our Founding Fathers intended. While the incoming Presidential administration may wish to hear only complimentary and supportive comments does not, by any measure, mean that anyone in opposition should “shut your pie holes and dance, monkeys, dance.” That is anathema to the principles upon which our great Nation was founded.  Every voice counts. Every voice matters. Every voice is entitled to be heard.

“Honestly,” Mr. Morgan, “your opinions mean nothing to me.”  But I will defend to my dying breath your right to express them.  Perhaps you should extend the same courtesy to others.

— Karen South Jones

Salisbury