Left and right are running neck-and-neck on censorship
The Karens and Chads say: “I hate what is in this book. I want to ban it! No one should have to read this filth!” Depending on the book’s subject matter, they may really be saying, “I don’t want anyone to read this book!” And, because it is the popular thing to do, people jump on the bandwagon, and the next thing you know, the book in question has found itself on a list. How many people actually took the time to read the book? How many read only the title or saw the author’s name and said, “Yep, ban it!”
Censorship, in its many forms, is an ugly pastime. Unfortunately, everyone engages in it to some extent. When was the last time you refrained from saying something to someone? That’s self-censorship. Usually, that’s not bad, especially if your aim is to de-escalate a conflict. But shouldn’t a person speak their mind? Yes, speaking for myself, you should speak your mind, but be mindful of the consequences. No speech is free from consequences, and those who propose unlimited freedom of speech should remember that.
The Right demands free speech all the time, but they really want freedom from consequences. So they want to say anything, regardless of factual content, then scream and rage when they are fact-checked or when something is deleted for a violation of the terms of service on a website, claiming a “Violation of the First Amendment.” They are forgetting entirely that the First Amendment only covers the government censoring content, not a private business.
It’s not just the Right. In my opinion, the Left are actually some of the worst offenders, especially the so-called “Progressive Left,” or, as I call them, the “Repressive Left.” These people have led the charge against movie and television stars who said things that annoyed the hell out of them, Gina Carano as an example. Sure, she said something that people believed was offensive, and maybe it was. But it was up to Disney to resolve the problem. Yet a metaphorical lynch mob demanded Carano’s head, and Disney gave it to them.
Interestingly, the Right and their Evangelical hit squads appear to be targeting books over the past decade. In the past nine months (June 2021 to March 2022), over 1,500 books have been banned in U.S. schools, according to PEN America (https://pen.org/). Not so much by parents but by local, state and national legislators (here’s the First Amendment problem you may have been looking for).
Why? Because a small group of ultra-rightwing nutjobs found the books objectionable and are forcing school districts to remove them from their shelves. “We have to protect the children!” They cry. Really? From what? Discussing the fact that Sally has two fathers or Tom has two moms? Come on.
There is a book…horrible things are in this book. Bestiality. Incest. Rape. Murder. Mass murder. Serial killings. Worship of other gods. Slavery. Torture. Drug use. Date rape. Theft. Homosexuality. Nearly every single crime (or would-be crime) that the book banners object to can be found in its pages, except abortion! This book has been banned in at least 50 countries, where ownership of the book can result in imprisonment or death. Figured it out yet? No? It’s the Christian Bible, held as the ‘moral standard’ for a so-called ‘good life.’ Vast atrocities, if undertaken today, would result in a visit to the gibbet. Ten commandments that tell people what they must and must not do.
But nowhere in today’s life will you find the words that Jesus spoke. Matthew 5:3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
— Mike Aurelius is a member of the Times Writers Group. He is a semi-retired business owner and professional writer who looks askance at the utterances of the extreme right- and left-wing politicians.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Left and right are running neck-and-neck on censorship
