TO THE EDITOR:
In 2015, the specter of Puritanism again haunts America — not in the form of New England fundamentalism, but as campus activism obsessed with identity politics and political correctness.
Often self-righteous, dogmatic and myopically intolerant toward other perspectives, the radicals among self-proclaimed “social justice” activists can mirror the mentality of religious extremists. Facts, argument and logic are secondary or foreign to these individuals — to them, their dogma of us-versus-them groupthink is divine truth, and anyone who disagrees must be guilty of the sins of privilege or bigotry and accordingly shouted down and silenced.
The puritanical left aims to make offending someone into an unpardonable sin. While the Puritans banned books, those pushing a divisive and accusatory brand of identity politics look to restrict dissent through campus speech codes, “trigger warnings” and a culture of outrage and indignation toward any disagreement. Even mundanities like Yik Yak are not spared their moralistic ire.
The Puritans supported mob justice and putting sinners in the stocks — likewise, the far left hopes to undo due process for those accused of sexual misconduct, making them guilty until proven innocent.
Certainly, liberty and equality should apply to all individuals, transcendent of demographic divisions. Easing immigration laws, ending the drug war, marriage equality, stopping police militarization and reforming the criminal justice system are all important causes; but these are best advanced through constructive and coolheaded conversation and peaceful, concrete activism. The divisive posturing and histrionics of a misguided minority within the “social justice” movement only alienate support for equality, while endangering liberty and open intellectual discussion.
Zach Rachuba
Junior
Economics and Germanic and Slavic language and literature
