Yesterday, I mentioned that I’ve been a bit confused by the continuing silence of the left-ish side of the blogosphere over the cartoon kerfuffle. Of course, I am not the first to pick up on it, as Tigerhawk does a good overview.
Perhaps the silence has to do with a deer-in-the-headlights moment, or more likely, the recognition that the current conflict cuts to the heart of identity politics. Which to defend — free speech or cultural sensitivity? Looks like we can’t have both...
The heart of Western liberal thinking is to identify people into groups and to stereotype them in order to identify their needs. In turn, all groups are to be treated with respect, regardless of behavior, outcomes or individual choices. It inevitably leads to a culture of victimhood and entitlement, and the dimishment of the individual.
The question becomes, will Europe finally, unwillingly, kicking-and-screamingly, learn to function beyond this approach? Will the traditional, privileged American left consider that identity politics are the anathema of real tolerance?
Will the cartoon kerfuffle (along with the French suburban riots) be remembered as a curiosity or a watershed moment? At least one left-of-center blogger is offering to join elbows on this one.
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