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Combative Consensus Crushes Souls
My daughter came downstairs crying this morning. Linda (not her real name) is a very mature 17 years old, not prone to emotional outbursts. She starts college in the fall, as a scholarship athlete at a major Division I school (you’ll be seeing her on TV in a couple years). Anyway, her coach sent out an email this morning saying that their team was going to release a statement affirming their belief in Black Lives Matter, and that each kid on the team would have the opportunity to record a video expressing their support for the movement. They are having a Zoom call in a couple of days for the coaches and athletes to express their feelings on this matter to one another. Linda is not stupid, and understands her position here: “If I don’t talk about how much I hate white people, including myself, then my whole team will hate me before we even start practice! All I can do is repeat what everybody else says, no matter how ridiculous it is! Why do I have to lie about politics to be allowed to play a sport? What does this have to do with anything? I don’t care what color anybody is! Can’t we just leave it at that? This SUCKS!”
It’s difficult to watch your kid struggle, especially when they really are in an impossible situation. She’s right. She’s stuck. There is no way out other than lying, repeatedly and sincerely, in public, to her friends. The lying will hurt, but there is no other way. So that is what she will do. Again, Linda is not stupid. But just to calm my anger over this, I thought I would sit down for a few minutes and compose a speech that she could give on this Zoom call to her team. She probably won’t use this. Not even small parts of it. But I’ll feel better when I’m done. When I courageously stand up to fascism, I prefer to do so by writing snarky articles under a pseudonym. What can I say – I’m a leader. Anyway, I wish Linda would say this on her Zoom call:
COACH: Hello everyone, and thanks for taking the time to join in this super important discussion at this critical time in our nation’s history. I’d just like to go around the group, on this Zoom call, so each of us can share their perspective on this super important topic. So why don’t we…
LINDA: *raises her hand excitedly* Ooh – coach! Coach! Can I go first?
COACH: Well, it’s great to see such inspiring leadership from an incoming freshman! Of course, Linda, please share your truth.
LINDA: Awesome! Thanks so much! I think it’s so great that we’re all getting together to discuss this super important topic! We owe it to our fans to make sure they know where we stand on political issues of the day! After all, it’s all about winning another championship! But no matter how passionate I am about this topic, I want to make sure that everyone understands that their point of view will be respected here. We’re all family, and we love and care for each and every one of you. Of course we’re not going to agree about everything over these next four years, and it’s super important that we learn to love and respect one another despite differences in perspective that are bound to come up on various topics. It’s super important that every voice is heard. Even minority voices. Don’t you think?
*All 25 people on the Zoom call spastically nod their heads up and down like trained seals*
LINDA: So let’s start our discussion by having a simple vote, so every voice can be heard. It’s super important that we know where everybody stands, so we can have a real discussion on this super important topic. So let’s have a show of hands. Who out there is in favor of racism?
*All 25 people on the Zoom call freeze and stare straight ahead, like they’re afraid a motion detector might go off*
LINDA: Come on now – you’re among friends here. We just want to have an open discussion, so we can all learn from one another’s perspectives. That doesn’t work if we won’t share our perspectives. Come on now – everyone in favor of racism please raise your hands.
*After a 10-second pause one girl blinks, and desperately hopes that no one noticed*
LINDA: Um, ok. Well then, is there anyone out there who is against racism?
*All 25 people on the Zoom call wave their arms over their heads and jump up and down, like they’re trying to hail a cab*
LINDA: Ok. Um… Well, I was hoping for a great discussion today – I thought it would be a great learning opportunity for all of us. But it’s hard to learn anything from a discussion, when you’re talking only to people who think exactly the same way you do. Hopefully, our next four years in college will bring more diversity of thought so we can expand our horizons through a process of reflection and self-exploration, learning from those we disagree with. Hmmm… Well, I guess this turned out to be a pretty short discussion, huh? Ok, coach, is there anything else you wanted to discuss before we adjourn?
Um, coach? Are you ok?
What drives me crazy about the riots in our cities that have been going on for over a month, is that they claim that they’re against white-against-black racism. Which no one is in favor of. Who do they think they’re arguing with? How can an argument destroy a country, when no one argues against them? It’s like screaming at the moon.
If the only way your side can win an argument is by constructing a straw man so ridiculous that even school kids think it’s over the top, then your side should recognize that their arguments are somewhere between silly and toxic. This is poison.
And everyone knows it’s poison. Including Linda. So she won’t read the text I suggested above.
Instead, she’ll give an impassioned speech about how much she hates white people, to prove she doesn’t judge people by the color of their skin. She’ll acknowledge that the only reason she’s a great athlete is because of her white privilege. She’ll say that people who have never owned slaves should give money to people who have never been slaves. She’ll say that systemic racism is invisible and ubiquitous at the same time. I know, I know – but it doesn’t have to make sense. That’s not the point.
The point is, she’s an incredible athlete, and she just wants to play.
So she lies. To everyone and to herself. It’s going to hurt. But she’ll get used to it over time. So she keeps lying, so she can play. After all, there is no other way.
This is poison.
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It’s a shame she had strep the day of the Zoom call. Maybe next year.
This is profoundly unsettling. It is, in fact, tyrannical.
This sounds like a sliver of “opportunity” to opt out, although I’ll grant that being the only one would be extremely difficult.
Doc, this is a terrible situation. I think that you should tell your daughter not to lie. Since she is only 17, it is probably appropriate for you to intervene with her coach.
It is up to you.
This is despicable.
The “coach” has no business being among young minds.
Right.
Well, is her coach doing this because he’s a BLM fascist? Or is he just scared of them, like everybody else? I’m not sure.
But the end result is the same, which is why this is poison. If she wants to play, she should lie. Convincingly.
Well, it’s not my athletic future at stake, but I think she would be happier, both now and long-term, if she politely declined the “opportunity to record a video expressing her support for the movement” especially if that was the language used by the coach.
“I am against all bad things. And for all good things. Bad people are bad. And good people are good.”
Compelled speech is not free speech.
It’s also compelled religious speech. Report it to Betsy DeVos.
This is why the Right is losing. Truth and justice are not high priorities.
She should be honest and risk the consequences. You know that.
She’s a 17 year old kid. She just wants to play her sport. She has no interest in political martyrdom.
Come on…
If his students dare to speak truth, maybe he will find his courage too.
If she lies to be on the team, do you really think this is the only time she will be forced to lie? Will she be comfortable on a team of liars, coached by tyrants, in a league of frauds?
There is no peace except in being on the side of truth. That is the meaning of “the truth will set you free” and “This peace I give you.”
Unfortunately, Doc, you have just described very accurately where society is these days. The lie is firmly established in nearly every area in our public life, and people risk their careers and their livelihoods if they refuse to conform. I’m 82 years old, and have never witnessed such a sad state of affairs.
I truly fear for the future of the American society. (A pretty sad statement to make on Independence Day.)
Clearly we are not supposed to be against persecution in whatever ugly form it takes. Persecution and ostracization for one’s beliefs is now good rather than evil.
Interestingly, the civil rights movement itself could not survive today in this climate of fear. I remember the busing wars in Boston. Both sides were equally strong and vocal. At least back then we could have a decent debate on the topics of the day.
She’s an adult. We talk about reforming education. Do you suppose classrooms can be reformed without courage from students willing to speak up and break the peer pressure? Her peers need good examples. Her bravery can inspire them to be brave.
I sympathize. I really do.
But conservatives are forever putting off the need to be brave. First, it’s for grades, sports, and easy relations. Later, it’s to protect one’s career and family. Her choices in life will get harder. Don’t encourage her to adopt a habit of capitulation now, while there is less to lose.
My sisters were soccer fanatics. I know how it would have hurt them to be pushed out. That scholarship is a big deal, I’m sure. But God comes first. She doesn’t want to live like that.
I keep saying it because it’s vital to our shared freedom: The fewer people who stand against the mob, the harder it becomes to do so and the bolder the aggression gets. The beginning is the hardest part. But it won’t be so hard if we can reclaim the culture by inspiring others to act with courage.
Afternoon Dr, Bastiat,
Could she transfer to another school, she must be an excellent athlete to gets a scholarship? I know a little about college tennis and poor line calling (cheating) is widespread. If a coach were to in a subtle way, to encourage this or to suggest that the team would do everything to win, how would you advise you daughter in that case? I know the analogy is rather weak. We are saying, if you have to lie for personal advancement, that is ok. How will you and your daughter feel about the team after everyone has either compromised their personal ethics and parroted the rightthink, or they genuinely believe the corrosive drivel that they are proclaiming? Would you want to be on a team like that?
Agreed. This seems to be exactly the scenario of the bullying posters in every K-12 public school building.
Personally, I think it is a violation to expect a video, and this kind of thing must be stopped with clear direction.
It sounds to be somewhat less than compelled, and Dr. bastiat should eat some bad milk and chicken so as to require the support of the athlete for a long duration than fully spans the time of the meeting.
Other options, vandalism of the internet. Falling in to the pool with phone.
If lying is acceptable, or required for survival, then lies that achieve the good are better than lies that are for evil.
Bless your daughter.
That is a very powerful statement and sadly true. It’s a terrible choice your daughter has to make, but now on July 4th, as we rightly celebrate those who made brave choices to found this country, we should seriously ponder @aaronmiller ‘s point.
Which does she value more? Playing? Or being truthful?
I went to four different high schools. Football was the way I had of not always being the new kid. I was never in your daughter’s class, but it was important to me. Would I have told such a monstrous lie to be able to play? I don’t think so. I would have resented the coercion and been stubborn.
“… and after we’ve pulled down all the statues, we should start burning the libraries. And the universities, products of the Patriarchy!”
Might as well throw a skeer into ’em.
Good thing I don’t have kids.
Get ahold of FIRE. They will contact the school and the coach and protect your daughter’s anonymity. The Marxists are drawing the line in the sand. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable with retreat.
I saw a survey last year among various races and political persuasions. Turns out that everyone is a little bit racist except for one group that was strongly racist. It is white leftists that are racist and they strongly dislike white people. I suspect it a virtue signaling thing, which is a position for weak-minded people.
Hopefully your daughter can say what she needs to say without getting in trouble and betraying her self. Perhaps, it sufficient to say, “I look forward my first season with the team.”
And with the support of Divine Providence, to this we pledge our lives, our fortunes and sacred honor.
There were just a few who signed, and they changed the world, for the better.
Your athlete may be another one of the new Founding Freedomists.
I don’t know the answer. I don’t think there is just one. I pray G-d gives her wisdom and strength for her path.
Lastly, the internet is forever. Making this video is no trivial decision, and even the zoom call could be archived.
I would defy the participation in this zoom and project in any way I could for that reason alone.
Even that is an honest participation that reveals a truth and forces the real conversation regarding compelled speech.
If one reads through the lives of the early Christian martyrs, or even through the lives of the later Christian martyrs (during the Ottoman reign, the Bolsheveiks, the Maoists, and others), one sees this same pattern over and over and over again:
What is X? It varies in its outward form, but it is always blasphemy, betrayal, and lies.
In many of these stories, in fact the person did lie, did blaspheme, did betray, only to regret it deeply later, to repent, and then go back to whatever authority had demanded X of them and throw it back.
Your daughter is entering college on an athletic scholarship. This is much to give up, but if she choses to do so then she sends a message to that school (and she should send a lengthy message, and perhaps a warning of a lawsuit) that this is not acceptable.
And she may embolden others also so fearful. Where one speaks up, others may follow.
Amen.
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednigo, in the fury furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar heated the furnace was 7x hotter than ever before, G-d carried them through.
Can you remove the burden from your daughter by just forbidding her to participate in the call?