This is America?

by Reena Kapoor

Last night I watched Indoctrinate-U, a documentary about what's going on on US University campuses.  I knew about "political correctness" and related gag rules, but this was absolutely shocking even for me!  I could not believe that I was watching a documentary about colleges in America. Apparently a lot of people in academia -- mostly of leftist persuasion -- do not agree that free speech is for everyone!  Being libertarian, I disagree with both the left and the right on many issues but I completely support their right to free speech -- and their right to disagree with me. Free speech should not be a partisan issue; but it has become one and for this I hold the academic left completely responsible.

No matter what your politics, you should see this for yourself. Here is some of what is going on -- and I do NOT exaggerate:

1. On college campuses today one cannot say or do anything that might hurt/offend someone else's feelings (qualifier: as long as the offended person is leftist in her opinions). And how is it decided that certain words/actions were offensive or hurtful? Very simply: any person (again: they have to be sympathetic to leftist causes) has to claim they were hurt or offended. No other evidence is needed.
2. Diversity of race, color, religion, etc. is welcome.  But diversity of thought is NOT welcome. You are not welcome if you disagree with any leftist position.
3. If a person does not agree with a leftist position then you can say anything to them including making threats of physical violence and get away with it.  
4. If you hold non-leftist positions on any front then you can be safely labeled a racist, fascist, nazi, homophobe, ad nauseum with no evidence to support those accusations. One of the professors claimed that simply being white makes a person racist and an oppressor!
5. Soon after 9/11 several people were prevented and bullied from flying American flags in the privacy of their homes & offices!
6. This is happening in leading universities all over America -- not some podunk colleges in small towns.

This film should be required viewing for parents and students on all campuses; and for people who doubt how bad it is out there. This is not about politics -- it is and should be about freedom of speech and expression. Why is the left so critical of McCarthyism and other forms of thought suppression when they themselves happily tolerate this cesspool of oppression?  I can hardly believe I am writing these words in America in 2008!