CAN WE REASON TOGETHER?

A few years ago, my wife, Jana and I did a weekly radio show in Uganda. We were on Monitor FM which in 2001 started a radical idea – a toll free call-in line. The purpose was to promote feedback on talk shows. If you had an idea, wanted your voice heard, or disagreed with the commentary all you had to do was pick up a phone and call. It did not cost you a thing. Though our toll free line was cutting edge, the rest of our technology was not. We had no means to screen the calls other than answering the ringing phone line.

Know what happened? The Ugandan business mind soon went to work. Why should you pay to have an announcement made over the radio when you can call in for free? During our opening weeks the bulk of our callers simply called to pass on greetings or make family announcements. Never doubt the ability of a Ugandan to find a way to save or make a shilling. Thankfully, our staff caught on quickly and we soon made a no greeting policy. When we heard the words, “Can I send greetings?” we simply hung up the phone. Then something wonderful happened, people started listening and responding.

Live radio on Monitor FM was born. A forum for all whose voices may have been unheard began. Access to thoughtful dialogue and influence was not restricted because you did not know the right person in Uganda’s inner circle. All that was required was access to a phone line.

Talk radio in the U.S. can be rude, mean, and antagonistic. Ratings are driven by controversy. A few of my Kilokole speaking brothers encouraged me not to open the phone lines on our show. What if an atheist called in? Or a Muslim? What if an opinion was expressed that we disagreed with? Or even worse what if a question was raised in which we did not know the answer? Maybe, my brother’s biggest fear was what if some one who disagrees with our position actually makes a better argument than us?

But fear of information, questions, and reason leads to the greatest failings of humanity’s history. It plunges us back into intellectual darkness. Ignorance reigns. Its fruits of poverty and disease triumph. Or maybe even worse leadership is given not to the able, but to those who cleverly manipulate. The 20^th Centuries greatest tragedies of Holocaust and Genocide were driven by leadership who squashed a free press and cleverly manipulated the media. Though I sometimes cringe at the sensationalism and exaggerations of a free press, I’m unwilling to accept the consequences of not having on.

Our listeners surprised us. They were thoughtful and kind. Their comments improved our thinking. Their questions forced us to do better research. Also, their thoughts added seasoning and spice to our show. Without them it would have become dull. No matter how much coffee I drink, I still fall asleep listening to myself. Lastly, we made more friends. In fact as I now live outside of Uganda some whom I stay best in touch with are not my Kilokole speaking brothers, but a controversial agnostic. A free press forces us to befriend those with whom we would not normally huddle.

I’m in need of some honest feedback. My first article at Focus was published in the middle of April. At some point a few weeks later my e-mail address was published along with my column. I held my breath. I really did not want my e-mail address in public, but it seemed like the honest thing to do to get feedback. However, I’ve yet to get an e-mail about anything I’ve written. I’ve had 1 phone call and 2 conversations from Rwandans. I try not to spend most of my time with expatriates, but they comment significantly more then my Rwandan friends about what I write.

I am puzzled. Is my writing irrelevant? Is it dull? Are people intimidated by me? Is the silence a subtle message to cease writing? Or is there something more going on than I have yet to realize?

A couple Rwandan friends have suggested the reason is a fear of public discussion. Let me share one more personal example. Shyaka is my friend. I enjoy him and his thoughts. However, I don’t agree with everything he writes. At this point in our friendship if I see an idea that I think needs more discussion or refinement, I send him an e-mail, call on the phone, or have a cup of coffee together. Occasionally, I might make a public comment.

I believe these are the terms of an authentic friendship. We reason together. Our minds sharpen each other. In the end our community wins because we have the courage to speak to one another.

Also, though I volunteer some for the media, I’m primarily a pastor. I continually balance maintaining confidence while also making public arguments that build community. I try to choose my public discussions carefully. I try to let them be guided by principles instead of personal agendas. I don’t intend for my public discussions to be ones that embarrass anyone.

Can some one give me some feedback? My e-mail is dave.jenkins@rwanda1.com. If you write to me, I’ll respond just to you. Focus’s email is focus.rwanda@gmail.com. If you write to Focus and want a public discussion, I’ll do that. Can we reason together?