"Fifty Shades of Intolerance"

     

     What ever happened to the ultra-tolerant liberal? It seems that these traditional liberals who wanted to live in a judgement free-zone of "Live and let live" are fading fast. They have now been replaced by a new breed of anti-social creatures, devoid of any general sense of compassion and are, utterly and hopelessly intolerant of others who hold a different political or cultural view. National riots, anarchy in Seattle, and mobs destroying historical monuments seem to reveal their true character and purpose. These are the new barbarians of the 21st century. They are the "Hate America First" crowd in full bloom.

     We are now left with the loudest, most malicious, ill-informed people simplifying the problems of social injustice and dogmatically asserting their left-wing solutions. The starting point of their demagoguery is the logical fallacy known as the "Perfect Society". They hold-up America's historical imperfections in comparison to a mythical perfect society. America's past is compared to something that never existed and never will exist. Another of their false assumptions which they use to justify the removal of post-Civil War monuments is that these monuments promote "White Supremacy". In reality these monuments were intended to honor the hundreds of thousands  of common, soldiers who fought bravely and perished in defense of what they thought was right or out of love for their communities and families. Like all soldiers there is no one reason for which they fought. Certainly no one living today can honestly give a definitive answer as to their very private motivation. If anything the Civil War monuments provide a modern lesson of the terrible cost of "White Supremacy" and civil wars in general.

    In the same way it is impossible to determine a single reason why people from the north and the west served the Union cause. On the strength of historical study it is safe to say that most of these men fought to maintain the union of the United States. Historical analysis also shows that the majority of Union soldiers were not abolitionist. The cause of abolition was held by a small minority of Americans during that period of time. "White Supremacy" as a belief was almost absolute in both the north and the south. It was Union veterans after the Civil War that completed the military struggle against the last remaining independent, native-American, tribes. My point is not that these soldiers should not be honored but rather where does the madness of removing historical monuments stop. Must all the history books be rewritten as they are in Communist countries? Must American history become a tool of left-wing propagandists only used to bludgeon their political enemies? If today's monument vandals were consistent they would demand the removal of all monuments which honor the people or leaders of any culture which are not morally perfect. They would not engage in selective moral outrage but would insist on the removal of monuments in Mexico, Central America and South America, where wonderful temples and pyramids were stained with the blood of thousands of sacrificed victims. All of these Native American, civilizations were the product of endless war, conquest and enslavement. Leaving the Western hemisphere they would need to travel east and topple the Pantheon in Italy and the Parthenon in Greece. If they continued east these young haters would reach Eygpt, where they would have many opportunities like ISIS to deface monuments and smash statues. Dismantling the great pyramids alone would provide them many years of moral improving exercise.

     The monument vandals are only capable of selective moral outrage. They are only interested in the sins of the United States of America or Western Civilization in general. In their reasoning there is no room for concepts like grace, forgiveness or reconciliation. Of all animals human beings have the greatest capacity for change. In one stage of their lives they may be a villain and in another a saint. Most people who are honored are honored for only a certain aspect of their lives: great artists, athletes and movie stars are prime examples. Selective moral outrage is a dangerous pursuit. There is a long and wide historical record and no shortage of imperfect people or civilizations. Maybe we would be better of following the advice of Jesus and not casting the first stone.

     William D. Howard is a freelance writer who had a long career as an educator. He holds degrees in philosophy and history and has traveled widely in over 40 countries. His essays have been published in American Thinker, Intellectual Conservative, LifeSiteNews and other publications.


     
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