Monthly Archives: January 2006

Turning Point Indeed

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In a frightening article on worldnetdaily, young Ann Coulter wannabe Hans Zeiger proclaims that a conservative revolution has begun on college campuses. Zieger states:

On campus, where the hippie Left has long thought their battle to be won, the growing conservatism of young Americans translates into activism. Conservatives are no longer silent in the classroom, popular Affirmative Action bake sales and conservative campus newspapers have confounded professors, and a well-funded network of “subversive” foundations and support networks is in place, ranging from Young Americas Foundation to the Intercollegiate Studies Institute to the Leadership Institute, and from College Republicans to pro-life and Christian student groups. Brendan Steinhauser, author of “The Conservative Revolution: How to Win the Battle on College Campuses,” calls the surge of activism “the new counter-culture on America’s campuses.”

I can’t imagine where Zieger received the funding and support to produce his upcoming book.

This is undoubtedly a scary time in America, and universities are always targeted when totalitarianism rears its head. Conservatives have been pouring billions of dollars into developing young leaders and transforming college campuses for over forty years now. They have already produced results, and they will produce more. Those of us trying to push back the tide are not funded with anything close to the resources the organizations he mentions have at their disposal. And, as is usually the case in situations like the one America now faces, groups and individuals working to end oppression have not been not recognized by many as the absolutely essential force for balance that they are.

I’m still holding out hope for a pendulum swing to the side of the “Hippie Left,” but I know it is possible that progressives will lose this particular battle. America may become the fundamentalist totalitarian state Zieger and others promote, and American campuses may change in some truly scary ways. But there are always ways to resist, no matter how bad it gets. Going from campus to campus over the years, I’ve met incredible students. They believe in the much more difficult, much less violent revolution that will bring an end to sexual assault (and all forms of oppression). These activists are everywhere, even in the most conservative corners of the country. Every one of them is going to make the world better. I am afraid that Zieger may get his revolution, but I’m not at all worried that it will be permanent.

Typical of People Whose Understanding of Pretentiousness is so Superficial

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A student paper at the University of Wisconsin at Madison recently published a photo essay depicting a student artist’s “rape fantasy.” A predictable hubbub has ensued, including a statement by the paper’s editor that criticism of the essay is “typical of people whose understanding of art is so superficial.”

The whole situation is just full of irritating people.

First, the artist. What a brat! Art exists in a social context. Being an artist doesn’t exempt you from considering the ethical implications of your work. Beyond the fact that this piece takes itself way too seriously, it’s irresponsible when presented this way.

As for the people claiming that anyone who dares criticize a work of art or a newspaper’s decision to run it is an opponent of free speech, well, I think they have possibly the most ironically backward concept of free expression possible. Reality check: free speech doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want without criticism. It just means you can say what you want. If others respond to your statements negatively, they are exercising their own right to free speech, not questioning yours.

And the college feminists! What are they doing commenting on this? Could they be any less politically saavy? Criticism of this work can only lead to a very boring, very theoretical discussion about BDSM that will confuse most people and divide feminists at a time when the last thing they need is more dividing.

I’m generally baffled by the simplistic view most people take of free expression. Especially since free expression is an impossible ideal that no one believes in. No one believes you should be able to shout “FIRE!” in a crowded theatre. Capitalists don’t believe that media corporations should be forced to provide equal funding to any programming anyone wants to create. Conservatives don’t think you should be able to burn a flag or show Janet Jackson’s nipples on TV. Progressives don’t think you should be able to use racial slurs in the workplace, and we certainly don’t consider it free speech when a bunch of guys put on sheets and burn a cross on someone’s lawn. Free expression is mostly just an amorphous concept people use to forward their political ends. Not that it’s not one of the most important human rights there is.

Here’s hoping the college feminists focus on a controversy slightly less likely to take millenia to sort out. Say, I’ll bet the UWM sexual assault policy could use some revision…