Ignorance-fueled hatred is a sad reality of our world. It yielded its disgusting fruit last weekend in the violence that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia, where neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members took to the streets with their shameful ideas.
Each of the thugs who harmed or endangered others by his behavior or violated just laws is fully responsible for his atrocious acts and should be held accountable for them. And still, we should still examine ourselves, as a society, and consider what we could do better in creating a social environment that reduces the likelihood of tragic incidents like these – and marginalizes those who deal in bigotry.
Unfortunately, some have advocated – usually with the best of intentions – for policies that actually exacerbate racial and class tensions. Eliminating those is an easy first step for steering all Americans toward mutual respect, personal responsibility and a genuine appreciation for diversity. Here are just a few examples.
First, as I wrote in my column last week, we must refuse to countenance programs or policies, even well-meaning ones, that classify Americans by race and choose “winners” and “losers” on that basis. Not only do these programs perpetuate the very type of discrimination we seek to eliminate; they also perpetuate ignorance and animosity among racial groups.
For instance, if members of one racial group are given “points” to help them achieve college admission, the implication is that members of that group are not capable of earning admission the way other applicants must – through hard work and strong academic performance. This is factually wrong, because race does not determine one’s academic abilities or work ethic. It also tends to produce bitterness between racial groups who now see themselves competing for positions on the basis of race. Why on earth would we continue such a practice?
Second, we must refuse to foster the idea that some group or institution – including the government – is responsible for providing for the material needs and wants of other groups. When we allow the idea that “someone owes me [a job, more money, health insurance, etc.]” to persist, we set that “someone” up to be hated by those who harbor the false expectation, and we erode the natural incentive for each individual to work to improve himself, achieve his goals and better his condition.
Third, as difficult as it sounds in the wake of the Charlottesville tragedy, we must reject proposals that weaken our commitment to the core American value of free speech. This requires our willingness to be exposed to even the most offensive, hateful ideas, rather than submit to a government that decides for us which ideas are acceptable and which are not.
Colleges and universities, listen up: We must teach America’s youth to listen to repugnant ideas and to respond civilly, eloquently and persuasively – not to retreat into designated “safe spaces” like wounded toddlers incapable of reasoned response.
The kind of “safety” that is our birthright as Americans is the safety of the contentious, uncomfortable marketplace of ideas, where even the rotten ideas may be peddled by the ignorant, but where Truth shines out, attractive on its merit and untarnished by any “official” labeling. As Justice Brennan once said, “The Nation’s future depends upon leaders trained through wide exposure to that robust exchange of ideas which discovers truth ‘out of a multitude of tongues, [rather] than through any kind of authoritative selection.'” Never has that been more true than today.
When we respond to hateful speech by sending it underground and suggesting that the government and social institutions need to protect individuals from its influence, we give it a power it cannot wield on its own. Rather than shielding young adults from offensive ideas, we need to arm them with Truth and with the skills of debate, and aim them directly toward those repugnant ideas to do battle.
The American commitment to free speech is premised on the conviction that Truth eventually wins out when we allow it to compete freely in the open marketplace of ideas. The Truth is: All men are created equal.
This Truth has prevailed, in significant ways, over the false beliefs that once pervaded our nation. In this regard, the experiment of liberty, with its bedrock principle of free speech, has been a raging success. We will never eradicate the bigotry that persists in some human hearts, yet we must press on in freedom toward Truth. And as a Christian, I look forward to the day when Truth will achieve its final victory and the Creator will make right every wrong.
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Rita M. Dunaway is a constitutional lawyer whose commentaries are featured regularly on TheBlaze.com and other conservative news websites. As National Legislative Strategist for The Convention of States Project, Dunaway encourages state legislators to use their constitutional authority to restore the robust federal system designed by the Constitution.
