The FXI thus upholds Johnson's right to express his views, within the limits of the Constitution, in the interests of promoting more debate, rather than less. Thus, even if many South Africans regard the article as offensive, the FXI believes such debate is the disinfectant that will cleanse society of evils such as racism and bigotry wherever and whenever they surface.
While the FXI unequivocally condemns racism, it is not the Institute's mandate to determine whether the writing was racist. Nor is it within its mandate to interfere with the LRB's editorial freedom to either include or remove content from its publications, including online publications.
The FXI is committed to promoting the rights of all South Africans to express their views, within Constitutional limits. This hard-won right specifically promotes the expression of diverse opinions across the political and social spectrum, except where such expression may incite violence (hate speech). In our young democracy, this right is constitutionally protected precisely so discriminatory and exclusionist ideas can be subjected to critical and open debate, which ultimately exposes the ugly nature of such views.
R. W. Johnson, an author and emeritus fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, described the aggressive behaviour of baboons near Cape Town in the first paragraph of the article. He then juxtaposed this with a second paragraph about migrants and xenophobic attacks in a nearby settlement, prompting widespread criticism and a letter of complaint to the LRB, signed by 73 individuals, including prominent academics and journalists from various countries. Critics felt that the article was racist, a charge that Johnson has denied. The LRB removed the posting and later made an apology for the post.
