Luke’s Log- Chait Calls Out those Darn Activists

Never thought I’d agree with almost every word of a Jonathan Chait article. Ever. Here are some of the most resonant quips:

“Political correctness is a style of politics in which the more radical members of the left attempt to regulate political discourse by defining opposing views as bigoted and illegitimate…

If you are accused of bias, or “called out,” reflection and apology are the only acceptable response — to dispute a call-out only makes it worse. There is no allowance in p.c. culture for the possibility that the accusation may be erroneous. A white person or a man can achieve the status of “ally,” however, if he follows the rules of p.c. dialogue. A community, virtual or real, that adheres to the rules is deemed “safe.” The extensive terminology plays a crucial role, locking in shared ideological assumptions that make meaningful disagreement impossible…

Politics in a democracy is still based on getting people to agree with you, not making them afraid to disagree.”

As a moderate-conservative, middle class, straight white Christian male, and a boisterously vocal one at that, I run into trouble with these campus activists at USC all the time. It’s a cult of victimhood, a demonization of the ‘oppressors’ that shuts down reasonable debate in favor of the rights and feelings- emphasis on the feelings- of the ‘oppressed.’ It takes very important social issues and works its evil curse upon them, speaking of them in Manicheaen one-sided narratives against some invisible oppressor. It looks around and sees injustice everywhere, except within.

I don’t really have anything intelligent to add to Chait’s analysis at the moment. Let’s leave it here.