The Thought Police

The cultural norms of the modern era are quickly shifting toward an endless promotion of diversity and tolerance, and this phenomenon is accompanied by a preference for limiting free expression in favor of a strictly regulated standard of socially acceptable thoughts and opinions. 

Those who choose to adopt this platform are welcomed with open arms as they carve out their own place on the progressive pedestal, while those who are critical of the movement are viciously attacked by these moral crusaders.

They serve their cause on relentless witch hunts, subjecting anything and everything to a level of unnecessary and exhaustive scrutiny in order to ensure that there are no stones left unturned on the never-ending search for intolerance and bigotry.

Contradictions Abound

This absolute confidence in their own moral superiority seems to be a collective amplification of the ego.

The problem with this self-assured and provocative style of engagement is that we all generally consider ourselves to be acutely aware of the mistakes and wrongly held beliefs by others, and are quick to take note of them, but we are for the most part completely blinded to our own inhibitions and false assumptions about the world around us.

It seems very hypocritical to dedicate a significant amount of time to the universal acknowledgement and celebration of a diversity in cultures, ethnicities and lifestyles while attempting to shut down a diversity in beliefs, ideas and criticisms because they conflict with that which is becoming the norm.

Freedom Isn’t Free

Our collective transition into covert forms of censorship is not only hysterical and misguided, it threatens the very foundation of our democracy.

The individual liberties that are endowed upon us were intended to serve as tools for cultural, economic and political enrichment – a means to an end that must never be compromised for the sake of offering comfort to a select few.

With that being said, I’d like to clarify that having the right to do something doesn’t mean that it’s right to do something, but this freedom of choice is a necessary component of a larger framework.

The Right To Be Left Alone

We must be able to believe what we wish to believe, say what we wish to say, disagree where we wish to disagree and left to live our lives in pursuit of our own personal desires so long as we don’t end up infringing upon the rights of others.

It’s becoming increasingly controversial to advocate on behalf of the traditional American rationale that calls for transparency and open debate.

The freedom of speech that is guaranteed to us by the Bill of Rights is unbelievably rare in human history, and we mustn’t take this privilege for granted.

Our founding fathers revolted against the tyrannical, divine-right style monarchism that sought to confine its people to a subservient and oppressed lifestyle.

Our freedom is threatened once again, but in a strange turn of events, it is a self-imposed threat – one that seeks to raise all of us up by shutting most of us down.