First off, the usual caveat: It’s fun to laugh at people like the ones you’re about to see, because they’re very silly. But we can’t take the freedom to laugh at them for granted, because one day people like this will be in positions of power and they’ll try to take away that freedom. Today’s clowns are tomorrow’s totalitarians. We have to fight for free speech, every single day.
Recently, ReasonTV went to Occidental College to get students’ reactions to a proposed system of reporting “microaggressions.” And Orwell wept.
The only Occidental student here with his head even halfway on his shoulders looks to be of Indian heritage. Or maybe Pakistani? One of those. I’m not supposed to ask because it’s a “microaggression,” but he says it doesn’t offend him.*
“Microaggressions.” It’s just so ridiculous. Here, look at this definition:
“Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”
In other words: Anything. Anything you say, or don’t say. Anything you do, or don’t do. Anything you intend, or don’t intend. Anything at all. If it offends somebody, somewhere, that’s your fault. Other people’s emotional problems are your responsibility.
If that sounds to you like a great way to silence free speech, congratulations. That’s exactly what it is, and that’s all it is. It’s not about protecting anybody’s feelings. It’s about stifling dissent. Who needs to pass a law to shut people up, when you can just encourage the howling mob to intimidate them into silence?
How long until Occidental students demand a name change? After all, “occidental” means “of the West,” which is a microaggression against people who aren’t from the West. What about their feelings? Where’s their safe space? Why are you taking away their blankie and baw-baw?
(The mighty David Burge calls these people “screaming college garbage babies,” which is both true and really fun to say. Try it! I’ll bet you can’t say it 10 times out loud. It’s the new “rubber baby buggy bumpers.”)
Every generation has to wage this fight against the people who want to control what we say. Right, Ice-T?
And do you know who he was speaking out against? Al and Tipper Gore. Different year, same Democratic Party.
*Even that kid has been brainwashed into thinking there’s such a thing as “hate speech,” though, which is disappointing.