Letter to the editor: Muzzle strategy handed down from slavery is alive today

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One of my physician colleagues at Tuomey Hospital here in Sumter, South Carolina, about 20 years ago remarked in a medical staff meeting, "Someone has to stop her!" He was referring to me after I spoke out in a meeting about an instance where a physician on the hospital's staff had violated ethical, moral and societal standards, in the hospital as well as outside the facility, and had been given what was equivalent to a "slap on the wrist" by the hospital's administration. In addition, I pointed out the fact that had the said physician been Black, then the punishment would have been much harsher and more punitive.

What my irate physician colleague was attempting to do was to place a muzzle on my First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of expression as well as freedom of petition. This irate physician colleague of mine did not understand that I was exercising my First Amendment right of free speech, freedom of expression and freedom of petition, which are integral parts of the United States Constitution. What my irate physician colleague did not comprehend was whether or not he agreed with what I was saying did not matter, as long as I did not cause harm physically or otherwise in my speech. He was reminded of that, and he quietly sat down without another murmur.

It is important to mention a strategy and/or tactic that has been used to silence those persons in society who challenge and/or protest against the status quo. This is especially true when it relates to matters in America and throughout the world, where Black people challenge discrimination, prejudice and racism.

American history reveals that the slave master punished severely the enslaved individual who refused to obey the orders handed down by him or her or by the slave master's overseers that were assigned to help maintain control over the slave population of adults and children.

Whips imposed wounds so great and massive that mounds of enormous keloids and horrendous scars resulted ... all under the authority and permission of the slave master. The severity of this punishment was intentionally harsh so as to send a message to the other slaves who may have had the audacity or gumption, bravery or courage to challenge or disobey their master's orders.

The legacy of slavery remains as prominent today as ever before.

Hundreds of young Black people who were protesting the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were arrested in 2020 and are currently standing trial in courtrooms across America. Extensive, lengthy and highly punitive sentences have been and are still being handed down by judges with the prompting and support of law enforcement agencies across America.

The "Muzzle Strategy" has been passed down through history and is as alive today as it had been during chattel slavery in this country. However, what the slave master of old and, in effect, slave masters of today do not realize is that trying to muzzle or silence people only serves to inspire and encourage others to engage in what Congressman John Lewis called: "Good Trouble!"

More and more "Good Trouble" is very much needed for the edification of the soul of this nation and for the survival of this mankind!

BRENDA C. WILLIAMS, M.D.

The Family Unit Inc., a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, charitable organization

Sumter