Opinion | Another Democratic Norm the Left Won’t Tolerate

The Left’s Intolerance of Dissent

The left’s intolerance of dissent is a major problem in our society today. It creates an environment where people are afraid to express their opinions for fear of being ostracized or even attacked. This is not only a violation of our First Amendment rights, but it also makes it difficult to have a productive dialogue about important issues.

There are many examples of the left’s intolerance of dissent. For example, in 2017, a group of students at the University of California, Berkeley, protested a speech by conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos. The protest turned violent, and Yiannopoulos was forced to cancel his speech. In 2018, a group of protesters at Middlebury College shouted down conservative speaker Charles Murray. Murray was eventually forced to leave the event.

These are just two examples of the many ways in which the left has tried to silence dissenting voices. This intolerance of dissent is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

The Causes of the Left’s Intolerance of Dissent

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the left’s intolerance of dissent. One factor is the rise of social media. Social media has made it easier for people to connect with others who share their views. This can lead to a sense of groupthink, where people are only exposed to opinions that confirm their own beliefs. It can also make it easier for people to spread misinformation and propaganda.

Another factor that has contributed to the left’s intolerance of dissent is the decline of traditional media. Traditional media outlets, such as newspapers and television networks, used to be gatekeepers of information. They would decide what news stories were important and how they were presented. This helped to ensure that the public was exposed to a variety of viewpoints.

However, the decline of traditional media has led to a proliferation of new media outlets, many of which are partisan and present only one side of the story. This can make it difficult for people to get a balanced view of the issues.

The Consequences of the Left’s Intolerance of Dissent

The left’s intolerance of dissent has a number of negative consequences for our society. One consequence is that it makes it difficult to have a productive dialogue about important issues. When people are afraid to express their opinions, they are less likely to engage in civil discourse. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and a polarization of our society.

Another consequence of the left’s intolerance of dissent is that it stifles innovation. When people are afraid to challenge the status quo, they are less likely to come up with new ideas. This can lead to a stagnation of our society and a decline in our standard of living.

What Can We Do About the Left’s Intolerance of Dissent?

There are a number of things that we can do to address the left’s intolerance of dissent. One thing we can do is to support free speech organizations. These organizations work to protect our First Amendment rights and to promote a culture of open dialogue.

Another thing we can do is to challenge the left’s intolerance of dissent when we see it. We can speak out against censorship and intimidation. We can also support those who are being silenced.

Finally, we can educate ourselves about the importance of free speech. We can learn about the history of free speech and the threats that it faces today. We can also learn how to communicate effectively with those who disagree with us.

Conclusion

The left’s intolerance of dissent is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. This intolerance of dissent has a number of negative consequences for our society, including making it difficult to have a productive dialogue about important issues, stifling innovation, and eroding our First Amendment rights.

There are a number of things that we can do to address this problem. We can support free speech organizations, challenge the left’s intolerance of dissent when we see it, and educate ourselves about the importance of free speech.