Everyday Americans have reached their limit. The rigid confines of political correctness are crumbling, giving way to the growth of freedom.
Commentary
During my eighth-grade year at the now-defunct Staunton Military Academy, I had a roommate who introduced me to a new record album he had acquired over spring break. After listening to a few songs, I confidently declared, “These guys will never make it. Stick with the Beach Boys.” This early lesson in my lack of predictive abilities deterred me from a life of gambling or stock market speculation. It’s safe to say that my crystal ball is best left as a paperweight.
With that disclaimer in mind, here’s my prediction for the future: The current reign of politically correct dictators, often referred to as “the woke,” is on the decline.
For quite some time, these adversaries of the First Amendment—including elements of the federal government, certain academics, celebrities, and various social radicals—have imposed restrictions on speech that defy tradition and common sense. In my imagination, I envision them attempting to overlay their ideologies with asphalt, suppressing independent expression and personal liberty in favor of a paved lot that accommodates their secular dogma.
However, this narrative is shifting. More and more Americans are rebelling against these self-proclaimed gender and race authorities. Here are a few examples of the cracks and weeds that are disrupting this paving project.
Back in 2018,
More In Common, an international organization dedicated to bridging diverse groups, revealed that 80 percent of Americans disapprove of political correctness and view it as a
issue. In a 2021
article titled “Political Correctness Isn’t as Popular as You Think,” researchers found that “people, even many liberal ones, are worried that we are too politically correct, and the public does not want this toxic movement to grow further.”
More recently, the pro-Palestinian protests on certain college campuses this spring have exposed the radicalism lurking beneath the surface of these academic institutions. Some
prospective students are now seeking education elsewhere, while major donors are
withholding gifts and funding from schools like Harvard and Columbia. Meanwhile,
colleges that uphold the values of Western civilization are thriving.
Many private elementary and secondary schools, untainted by the radical agenda of
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), are focusing on essential subjects like reading, writing, and math. Numerous institutions, especially classical schools like
Great Hearts Academies, prioritize the moral and intellectual development of their students. In Front Royal, Virginia, several private Catholic schools integrate faith education into their academic curriculum.
Inspired by individuals such as
Riley Gaines, more parents and their daughters are challenging the intrusion of boys and men who claim to be transgender into female sports. No longer intimidated by the woke crowd, a recent incident at a girls’ high school track meet in Eugene, Oregon, saw the audience
booing transgender runner Aayden Gallagher after his victory in the 200-meter race.
In May, Donald Trump attracted nearly
100,000 attendees to his presidential campaign rally in Blue State New Jersey, a remarkable turnout given the prevailing fabrications about immigration and inflation by the current administration. Were all these individuals die-hard Trump supporters? Unlikely. Many were simply weary Americans disillusioned by the misinformation.
Also in May, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered a
commencement address at Benedictine College in Kansas. Addressing a predominantly Catholic audience, Butker criticized certain woke ideologies while praising the virtues of marriage, motherhood, and homemaking. His remarks provoked the ire of the politically correct, who called for his dismissal from the Chiefs. However, this time, their protests, including demands for Butker’s firing, were met with opposition. The audience responded with a
standing ovation, and sales of his #7 jersey soared.
Everyday Americans have reached their limit. The once-impervious asphalt ground is now fractured, allowing the sprouting of the weeds of liberty.
Despite the potential chaos of the pre-election summer of 2024, a growing number of Americans are seeing through the facade of these politically correct tyrants, and their resistance is gaining momentum. In the words of Winston Churchill, “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
