The Sharper Edge of the Sword
The news these past few weeks (since about January 21st,
actually) has made me increasingly concerned about intolerance from both the
political right and the left. Tolerance
is a double edged sword. When you
protect a citizen’s right to diversity you also, by definition, place the same
burden of acceptance upon them. That which is given must also be returned,
else you lose all. It is this requisite largess which is truly the sharper edge of the
sword. This dichotomy is neither
unique nor new.
In 1917 two anti-war activists were
found guilty of attempting to cause insubordination among soldiers who had been
drafted to fight in World War I. They
had circulated leaflets urging draftees not to “submit to intimidation” by
fighting in a war being conducted on behalf of “Wall Street’s chosen few.” The case, Schenck v. United States,
went to the Supreme Court. Justice
Oliver Wendell Holmes rendered the verdict, noting that “…the character of
every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done.” As an example, he gave what has become an oft
misquoted statement, “The most stringent protection of free speech would not
protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater, and causing a panic.” Justice Holmes upheld the conviction of
Schenck in the context of a wartime draft, holding that the pamphlet created “a
clear and present danger of hindering the war effort while our soldiers were
fighting for their lives and our liberty.”
Parenthetically, I find it
enlightening that even in World War I the Bolsheviks were already picking on
the rich and successful as a convenient scapegoat. Jealousy can so easily be turned into
unjustified blame.
What Justice Holmes’ made clear is
that tolerance, even that which is codified in law, exists within, not separate
from, the fabric of human interaction.
Living in a free society carries responsibilities as well as rights; one
of these is extending regard and tolerance to people you don’t like—even if
they are part of the power structure!
An example of intolerance toward
the majority is the South Hadley, Massachusetts ,
Pioneer Valley Performing
Arts Public
Charter School
These zealots of, “free speech” readily
defend their odious conduct, but only when it reflects their particular
bias. Zealots are always obnoxious,
frequently worrisome, sometimes dangerous, and occasionally deadly. A society which tolerates anyone’s intolerant
behavior dissolves into anarchy.
Unfortunately, our present society, with the goading of the media and
the encouragement of the current Democrat administration, is increasingly and
militantly intolerant of Christianity and traditional American values. While preaching tolerance, they see
absolutely no problem in attacking anyone who—amazingly—looks like my Dad, a
white guy who worked hard and played by the rules.
The right to diversity is a
terrible swift sword. It is a sharp and
sure blade which defends tolerance by attacking license. We place this weapon willingly in the hands
of our leaders, but demand its wise and accountable use. The liberal wing is about to run out of
wiggle room.
Work for tolerance of the powerful
and impotent alike, and keep the faith.
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