Controversy Issue: Editorial

From the Editor’s Corner…

Many people deal with controversy differently. Some refuse to say that the said thing is actually controversial in the first place. Some avoid and ignore the issue completely or they believe it to be pointless as they see it not as a solution. Others see it as the be all and end all of making change and actually fixing the problem. It’s up to each individual person how they face–or avoid– controversy. I personally believe controversy is a necessary evil within the world. 

These days, the amount of people who are stepping outside of the box of societal rules is becoming less and less. Due to 'cancel culture’, people are terrified to slip up. This can both be seen as good as well as a bad thing. I agree people should be held accountable for tweeting something racist a few years back, but I don’t think people should be so afraid to speak out at all. For example, so-called celebrities are silent in regards to the crimes being committed upon Palestinian people because they are supposedly afraid of offending the wrong people in the industry.

Controversy illustrates the values of epistemic independence which is the ability to consider issues ourselves without relying on higher authorities. Basically, thinking for yourself rather than sticking to what the government or media tells you. Controversial actions allow people to see outside of the social norm and reveal things that are both good or bad in the world. It exposes what needs to change. Engaging with controversy allows us to examine the answers to problems rather than accepting what is and make us question what if.

Throughout history there are examples of people causing change through standing up and making some controversy. In 1928 the Women’s Suffrage movement in the UK had women  chaining themselves to railings, interrupting parliament and holding rallies, all for the fight for  women’s rights. Not even a 100 years ago women did not have the human right to vote. Because these women were not afraid to expose that change needed to be made, women today are allowed to vote. The Salt March in India was a result of the 1882 Salt Act which prohibited citizens of India, under British rule, from collecting, selling or producing salt. The poor suffered hugely, as they were not allowed a mineral that was needed for human metabolism, and those who went against this act were imprisoned. Mahatma Ghandi took against this act in protest and joined by 78 followers, they walked 240 miles to the Arabian Sea. The peaceful protestors who were arrested brought global recognition of what was happening in India. These controversial acts of defying British law was the first step on the road to independence for India. 

Speaking of independence, a moment of uprising to create controversy we can look upon our own history. The Easter Rising of 1916, was an insurrection within this country that resulted in a domino effect to our independence from British Rule. James Connolly, Patrick Pearse, Tom Clarke, Èamonn Ceannt, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh and Joseph Mary Plunkett, all leaders of the Rising and all saw that change was necessary. To stand up for the right of a free state. Even if they all met a dire fate we can thank them for being an independent country now. 

Sitting quietly and letting things pass is no good because nothing will ever happen then. These examples are all of the people who saw that change was needed and stood up even if they were afraid of causing controversy. They used their voice, just like how you should use your voice, now, today and forever. 

In this issue of Motley we explore all different takes of controversy, both good and bad. Many of these articles are the writer’s opinions as they discuss these controversial items, so I do hope you read them with a pinch of salt. Enjoy, feel enraged and speak out…