These expressions are just a few of the many that have been annoying me for some years now. Safe places. Colonialism. Decolonization. Intersectionality. Privilege. Settler. Triggered. Microaggressions. Deplatforming. And still others that do not immediately spring to mind.
I'm not sure I can pinpoint the exact time my annoyance started. Perhaps it goes as far back as the 1970s when I was negotiating for a local teachers' association, wondering why my union seemed more concerned with teachers in Central America than putting money into the pockets of our membership.
One thing I am sure of is that, as is usual, the "Left" is splitting itself over what are, in my opinion, petty squabbles. Most recently, the intense animosity of feminists and POC (people of colour), directed at Bernie Sanders, during and after his bid for the leadership of the American Democratic Party, is just another manifestation of the political left being unable to unite. Further back in time, the squabbles of the German Left most assuredly created political opportunities for Hitler's National Socialism.
In terms of pinpointing my more recent annoyance, let's go with the Yale University Halloween nonsense. The first bit of nonsense was a letter, sent by the university administration, advising students about what might or might not be appropriate Halloween attire. Let's not forget, these are adult students, not high schoolers. If the Yale controversy had been limited to adult learners showing their annoyance at being treated as children, that would have been understandable. And that should have been the end of it! What more is there to say? Essentially, "I'm an adult, please don't treat me like a child!" Perhaps one might have added, "I'm an adult, so I'm unlikely to take your recommendations regarding Halloween costumes seriously."
This was about Halloween costumes. This was about adults. This was at a university. Society should be concerned that university administrators have nothing more important to worry about.
That's it!
In my opinion, the email from Erika Christakis - the very email that became the cause of much "progressive" furor - summed up the entire situation:
I wonder, and I am not trying to be provocative: Is there no room anymore for a child or young person to be a little bit obnoxious… a little bit inappropriate or provocative or, yes, offensive? American universities were once a safe space not only for maturation but also for a certain regressive, or even transgressive, experience; increasingly, it seems, they have become places of censure and prohibition. And the censure and prohibition come from above, not from yourselves! Are we all okay with this transfer of power? Have we lost faith in young people’s capacity – in your capacity – to exercise self-censure, through social norming, and also in your capacity to ignore or reject things that trouble you?
What more was there to say? Why were her words considered controversial or offensive?
She didn't use the word "snowflake" but the political right certainly did! Instead she wonders about students', "capacity to ignore or reject things that trouble (them)". She is, essentially, calling out the snowflakes in the university student community. She does so politely and gently.
And she is right!
And I'm annoyed by this incident, and many like it (most recently Evergreen State College in Washington State). Not because I'm some redneck, rightwing nutjob. No, like the biology professor at Evergreen State, I consider myself a left-of-centre "progressive". I think of myself as an ally of those to the left of the political spectrum.
The Yale and Evergreen State incidents make me question my politics. I'm no conservative, but I can't align myself with snowflakes.
SUCK IT UP!
I think I already hear the objections. "This happened in the USA and you, as a Canadian, can't possibly understand how emotions can be triggered by offensive Halloween costumes."
Then, of course, I'd have to be told that my white male privilege was showing.
On the first point I'd counter that the costume issue was about learning how to act as an adult. I'm open to a debate regarding differing definitions of adulthood in the USA versus Canada.
As to privilege, let's move on to the next chapter.
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