My latest in PJ Media:
Self-incrimination was a common feature of the “struggle sessions” of Communist China’s Cultural Revolution: someone who was accused of ideological deviation broke down, under intense browbeating and often torture, and accused himself or herself of all manner of wrongdoing, amid tearful repentance and vows never to deviate from the party’s line again. Now that America is beginning its own Cultural Revolution, it is no surprise that these “struggle sessions” are coming here. We already see entirely innocent people, such as (most recently) Ellie Kemper, breaking down and confessing to sins they did not commit, and much, much more of this is coming. At American University in Washington, they’re getting a jump on the mob by accusing themselves before anyone else has accused them.
The university’s newspaper, The Eagle Online, reported Thursday that “a petition that began circulating in late February on social media sparked a conversation among American University students and staff members alike — whether or not Islamophobia is rooted in the School of International Service.”
Why, of course it is, just as “racism” is everywhere these days, just under four-and-a-half years after the first black president left the White House after eight years in office. “Islamophobia” has risen in the consciousness of Americans along with this new ubiquitous racism, and is a particularly pernicious example of Leftist propaganda: the word is used to refer both to attacks on innocent Muslims, which are never justified, and to any criticism of Islam, however mild, and even to opposition to jihad violence and Sharia oppression of women.
The Eagle Online, however, asserts: “Islamophobia engenders negative stereotypes that continue to discriminate against Muslim- Americans. These Islamophobic tropes are often portrayed in political discourse, everyday media and education. Terms like ‘Islamic menace’ or ‘violent foreigner’ lead to an association between Islam and terrorism which is biased, harmful and many times untrue.”
Oh, come on. “Islamophobic tropes” are “often portrayed in political discourse, everyday media and education,” including “terms like ‘Islamic menace’ or ‘violent foreigner’”? On what planet? I just did a search for the term “Islamic menace,” and the overwhelming majority of results were for articles scoffing at the idea that there is such a thing. Likewise with “violent foreigner.” The idea that these are everyday terms is a product of Leftist paranoia, and has nothing to do with reality.
There is more. Read the rest here.
Clive Delmonte says
I despair of the lurch into vicious and nasty racist attacks on ordinary decent people which we are witnessing in the US Democratic Party. It can only be a short time before “The Donald” or a supporter of his makes a triumphant return the WH.
Then there may be a rapid return to sanity in the US.
Keys says
C D, you are likely aware that these “vicious and nasty racist attacks on ordinary decent people” includes attacks on innocent school children here in the USA.
Thousands of angry American parents are now confronting their local School Boards about the implementation of CRT (Critical Race Theory) into their school curricula where “white children” are made to feel ashamed of the color of their skin. CRT, an abomination, if ever there was one ! Racism !
A rose is a rose …
gravenimage says
Grimly true, Keys. Children who are white are being told that they are intrinsically racist, and children who are not are allowed to browbeat them with teacher approval.
*Deeply* disturbing stuff.
Hoi Polloi says
What’s the point of breathing if they can’t find a mortal sin in the form of an -ism or a -phobia for these people? No wonder Pew found, as mentioned in comments here before, “Sixty-two percent of Whites who classify themselves as “very liberal” or “liberal” have been told by a doctor they have a mental health condition, as compared to 26% of conservatives and 20% of moderates.”
These mortal sins and original sins we’re assigned as our full definition of self are more false, burdensome, and damaging than those of any religion.
James Lincoln says
Hoi Polloi,
So, we have 62% of white liberals (now Leftists) with mental health problems.
One of the two must be true:
1. Mental health problems can lead someone into Leftism.
2. Leftism can cause mental health problems.
Hoi Polloi says
At least one, yes. I think all of us here have seen this firsthand and see that it’s snowballing. And it seems they want to share, unfortunately.
Hoi Polloi says
Along these lines, there’s a Hoft gateway article out just now, describing how leading psychologists are “pathologizing all conservatives as mentally ill and untreatable.” These assessments are in emails from “executive board members of the National Alliance of Professional Psychology Providers.”…..The emails include, “No amount of therapy cannot [sic] remedy “ignorant,” “paranoid,” “strange” “delusional,” “stupid,” “narcissist” conservatives who support “corruption and incompetence.” And worse.
gravenimage says
Good–albeit troubling–exchange.
gravenimage says
American University Has Maoist Self-Incrimination Session, Decides It’s ‘Islamophobic’
……………
Yes–self accusations–people claiming they are “racist” or “sexist”–or, now, “Islamophobic” before others can do so is rife.
And Maoist Cultural Revolution “Struggle Sessions” are *exactly* what these travesties remind me of.
Sick, sick stuff.