You Don’t Have to Be a Hero

As we watch the foolish protestors in our own streets, and compare it to the dangers that the Israel Defense Forces face every day; as we watch the mindless hatred spouted about Israel and also American Jews, and compare it to the support Israel has received from France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand; it is encouraging to know that many countries and citizens publicly state their support of Israel and condemnation of Hamas.

But here at home, we have massive problems: our education system, the military, the economy, the liturgy of climate change, the damage caused by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rules, the transgender farce, emergence of anti-Semitism, and many other attacks on our values and ways of life. Many of us feel helpless to do much of anything against these forces. But I believe, slowly but surely, at least in some areas, the tide is beginning to turn. I’m seeing pushback on DEI:

As of July 2023, 40 bills have been introduced in 22 states that would place restrictions on DEI initiatives at public colleges, according to data compiled by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Other states are also creating legislation to defund DEI programs in business, especially in hiring.

Defunding DEI is not the only action taken by the states. States are recognizing the threats to companies with the creation of ESG programs.

And the House and Senate have been responsive to attacks on Jews in this country:

The resolution — H. Res. 798 — is Congress’ latest response to the rise in pro-Palestinian student demonstrations on campuses around the Israel-Hamas conflict that started Oct. 7. Senators last week passed a similar resolution, S. Res. 418, by voice vote.

College leaders have struggled with their responses to campus protests and the ongoing war and are grappling with an uptick in reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia. The resolution calls out college leaders for not speaking out in support of Jewish and pro-Israel students. It urges them to condemn all forms of antisemitism on their campuses and ensure Jewish faculty and students can exercise free speech without intimidation.

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All these activities are encouraging. But they are not enough. Recently, I read Ted Cruz’s new book Unwoke: How to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America. It’s a very fine book, although for those steeped in an understanding of cultural Marxism in this country, you may find that new information is limited. I was impressed, however, with how he took on China and has been consistent in that fight.

I especially appreciated his stories about his family during the Communist takeover. His father joined the resistance and went to prison. I was particularly moved by the story he told about his grandmother, who was a teacher, and the expectations of the communists:

The communists demanded the same of my family. They ordered Abuela to begin teaching her children Marxism. And so she faced a choice. She could be complicit in poisoning the minds of her beloved students. Or she could refuse, and face prison or worse, be forcibly removed from her own family and subjected to who knew what horrors. She chose a third option. She feigned insanity. One day in class, she began foaming at the mouth, tearing out her hair, screaming and wailing like a madwoman.

She was removed from the classroom, never to return. Although a few of her neighbors may have realized her true intention, she was mostly shunned by the people in her life.

These are the kinds of sacrifices some people are willing to make.

There are state governments who are willing to attack those programs that are slowly destroying our country. There are people who show extreme creativity and courage in refusing to comply with hateful expectations. And then there are ordinary people, who for many reasons are uncomfortable speaking up. That’s most of us.

But I believe we can no longer rely on others to take the risks to save this country. Resistance to these actions might be easier than we think. When you see a breach in the support for DEI or ESG, think about how you might capitalize on that. Programs are beginning to fall apart, and the more people who protest, the more damage in their positions will be made. Many people on Ricochet have not only declared their support of our Jewish community and of Israel, but they proudly wear pins of Israeli flags or Jewish stars.

Write to the editors of your newspaper stating your contrary views. Talk to your neighbors in an effort to present them with correct or complete information.

Now that the ship of totalitarianism is slowing turning around, we must join forces with others who are willing to speak out.

[ photo courtesy of unsplash.com}