Freedom of expression, dignity and hypocrites
It does not need a monotonous lecture from any of the archetypes of the freedom of expression for any South African to see Brett Murray's so called art as nothing but a piece of drawing that is meant to insult, hurt, denigrate and undermine the dignity of President Jacob Zuma as a human being.
The defenders of Murray are overly sensitive to anyone attempting to weigh between the hurtful piece of drawing by Murray on the one hand, and the importance and necessity to preserve and protect the dignity of another human being on the other hand. They want to have us believe that when it comes to the person of President Zuma, the fundamental right to dignity does not apply.
Central and inherent to most rights in the Bill of Rights in our Constitution is the right to dignity. The underlying values of our Constitution presupposes that to fulfil all other rights in the bill of rights, due regard must be given to a person's right to dignity. The right to dignity is by far the most important right in the bill of rights. This is because a person's self- worth, his/ or her inner capacity to respect him/ or herself and others around him, greatly depends on the protection and affirmation of his or her dignity as a human being.
A person's whole being and his or her ability to interact with others of his or her species of human beings is vitally buttressed by the respect and protection of his dignity as an equal member of that species. He or she is able to enjoy life fully as a fundamental part of that species because his dignity is not only protected but acknowledged by his fellow countrymen and women. The respect and protection of his or her dignity makes him or her to attach importance and commitment to the long held values of Ubuntu that say I am because you are.
Even a condemned criminal who has killed, raped and maimed is equally afforded this basic and most important human right to dignity. Interestingly, I have not heard the defenders of the freedom of expression using this right to advocate for the limiting of the right of criminals to dignity.