thestream--2020-07-10--This Week at War: ‘We Owe Them Everything’

“ Twenty veterans every day take their lives by suicide.
” Those jarring words were uttered on Wednesday by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie during a conference call that included Vice President Mike Pence .
I was honored to not only listen in on the conversation , but spread awareness about military suicide and how we can all join together in helping heroes in need .
“ As the son of a combat veteran , as the father and father-in-law of two members of our Armed Forces , it is heartbreaking for me to think that every year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservists , retired active duty , lose their lives to suicide , ” Vice President Pence said .
“ It ’ s almost hard to even say it out loud.
” The vice president and his wife , Second Lady Karen Pence , are leading the Trump administration ’ s support of a new Department of Veterans Affairs PREVENTS program called REACH , which aims “ to change the conversation around suicide by urging people to recognize their own risk and protective factors — as well as the risk and protective factors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the VA. During the call , Vice President Pence specifically asked those who believe in God to also believe in our nation ’ s veterans .
“ We need men and women of faith to meet this moment for the American people and America ’ s veterans , ” the vice president said .
During a heated election year , it was refreshing to hear a politician speak from the heart without even the slightest hint of partisanship .
It was obvious to anyone listening that the vice president cares deeply about ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every American – and the mental health of every American – but for those who put on the uniform , that counted at one time our lives more important than their own , our freedom more important than their lives , we owe them everything , ” Vice President Pence said .
“ We owe them to be there in those dark moments.
” I personally know veterans who have considered ending their lives while also mourning fellow veterans who have tragically committed suicide .
I stand with any national leader – Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shines a light on these heroes and their families .
It is also a bold and smart strategy to enlist people of faith in taking this extraordinary effort to the next level .
How can you help ?
You can start by taking this online pledge .
“ By signing this pledge , I understand that suicide prevention is a national public health challenge and that everyone has a role to play , ” the pledge reads in part .
“ I am committed to increasing awareness of mental health challenges and suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans.
” Please encourage your church and community leaders to talk openly about suicide and assure everyone — especially veterans — that you are there in their time of need .
While taking the pledge is a start , VA Secretary Wilkie ended his remarks by quoting an even more sacred pledge from the Book of Joshua : “ I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.
” If you are a service member or veteran contemplating suicide , please call the veterans suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255 .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fellow veteran who has experienced depression or despair or just want to talk , please e-mail me anytime at tom.sileo @ stream.org .
To our brave troops and veterans : You matter .
From this day forward , we will not fail you or forsake you .
For the first time in American history , a woman has joined the ranks of the U.S. Army ’ s legendary Green Berets .
According to Military.com , “ U.S .
Army Special Operations Command would not identify the soldier , but confirmed that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremony at Fort Bragg , North Carolina.
” All military jobs , including combat roles , have been open to women who can successfully complete the required training since 2015 .
Congratulations to this new Green Beret and all 400 Special Forces graduates !
De Oppresso Liber .
Just before our country celebrated its independence , America lost another hero to its longest war .
U.S. Army Spc .
Vincent Sebastian Ibarria , of San Antonio , Texas , was killed in a July 3 vehicle accident in Afghanistan ’ s Farah province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldier was just 21 years old and is the ninth U.S. service member to be killed in Afghanistan this year .
“ The entire warrior team mourns the loss of Vincent , ” said the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team said , as quoted by Stars and Stripes .
“ Our thoughts and prayers are with Vincent ’ s family , friends , and fellow soldiers.
” Please pray for all who knew and loved Spc .
Vincent Sebastian Ibarria .
It ’ s important to continually acknowledge and thank the thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ongoing war on coronavirus .
Every single week , these heroes – many of whom are serving with the National Guard – quietly help ordinary Americans struggling during this deadly pandemic .
Thank you to each and every American hero fighting COVID-19 .
You are administering tests , guarding hospitals and nursing homes , delivering supplies and performing countless other essential duties .
Your daily sacrifices are noticed and deeply appreciated .
We humbly ask God to keep you and your families healthy and safe .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
A group of U.S. Navy sailors returned to San Diego this week after spending the last six months at sea .
Welcome home , heroes !
Thank you for keeping us safe .
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream .
He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage , Brothers Forever , Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Suicide
“Twenty veterans every day take their lives by suicide.”
Those jarring words were uttered on Wednesday by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie during a conference call that included Vice President Mike Pence. I was honored to not only listen in on the conversation, but spread awareness about military suicide and how we can all join together in helping heroes in need.
“As the son of a combat veteran, as the father and father-in-law of two members of our Armed Forces, it is heartbreaking for me to think that every year, more than 6,000 veterans, guardsmen, reservists, retired active duty, lose their lives to suicide,” Vice President Pence said. “It’s almost hard to even say it out loud.”
The vice president and his wife, Second Lady Karen Pence, are leading the Trump administration’s support of a new Department of Veterans Affairs PREVENTS program called REACH, which aims “to change the conversation around suicide by urging people to recognize their own risk and protective factors — as well as the risk and protective factors of their loved ones,” according to the VA.
Great to join @Mike_Pence, @SecWilkie, @WeArePREVENTS, & 100+ faith-based leaders & orgs for a productive call on ways faith-based communities can help end #Veteran suicide. Pastors and faith leaders are critical to fostering purpose, connectivity and belonging for our veterans. — Second Lady Karen Pence (@SecondLady) July 8, 2020
During the call, Vice President Pence specifically asked those who believe in God to also believe in our nation’s veterans.
“We need men and women of faith to meet this moment for the American people and America’s veterans,” the vice president said.
During a heated election year, it was refreshing to hear a politician speak from the heart without even the slightest hint of partisanship. It was obvious to anyone listening that the vice president cares deeply about ending military suicide.
“We care about every American – and the mental health of every American – but for those who put on the uniform, that counted at one time our lives more important than their own, our freedom more important than their lives, we owe them everything,” Vice President Pence said. “We owe them to be there in those dark moments.”
I personally know veterans who have considered ending their lives while also mourning fellow veterans who have tragically committed suicide. I stand with any national leader – Republican, Democrat, or Independent – who shines a light on these heroes and their families. It is also a bold and smart strategy to enlist people of faith in taking this extraordinary effort to the next level.
This week, we had an inspiring virtual conversation with faith-based leaders from across the country about the important role their communities play in suicide prevention. Watch to learn more & visit our site to see how YOU can get involved: https://t.co/Z07oeL7vOI. #REACHnow pic.twitter.com/EcM3Dz8kbw — WeArePREVENTS (@WeArePREVENTS) July 9, 2020
How can you help? You can start by taking this online pledge.
“By signing this pledge, I understand that suicide prevention is a national public health challenge and that everyone has a role to play,” the pledge reads in part. “I am committed to increasing awareness of mental health challenges and suicide prevention practices to reduce suicide for all Americans.”
Please encourage your church and community leaders to talk openly about suicide and assure everyone — especially veterans — that you are there in their time of need. While taking the pledge is a start, VA Secretary Wilkie ended his remarks by quoting an even more sacred pledge from the Book of Joshua: “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”
If you are a service member or veteran contemplating suicide, please call the veterans suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255. If you want to be put in touch with a fellow veteran who has experienced depression or despair or just want to talk, please e-mail me anytime at [email protected].
To our brave troops and veterans: You matter. From this day forward, we will not fail you or forsake you.
Making History
For the first time in American history, a woman has joined the ranks of the U.S. Army’s legendary Green Berets.
According to Military.com, “U.S. Army Special Operations Command would not identify the soldier, but confirmed that she graduated from the 53-week course in a ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.” All military jobs, including combat roles, have been open to women who can successfully complete the required training since 2015.
Congratulations to this new Green Beret and all 400 Special Forces graduates! De Oppresso Liber.
Afghanistan
Just before our country celebrated its independence, America lost another hero to its longest war.
Spc. Vincent Sebastian Ibarria, 21, of San Antonio, died Friday as a result of the incident, which is under investigation, a statement said. The accident happened in the capital of Farah province in the country’s southwest.https://t.co/KGMMN5zxNN — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) July 6, 2020
U.S. Army Spc. Vincent Sebastian Ibarria, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed in a July 3 vehicle accident in Afghanistan’s Farah province, according to the Pentagon. The soldier was just 21 years old and is the ninth U.S. service member to be killed in Afghanistan this year.
“The entire warrior team mourns the loss of Vincent,” said the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team said, as quoted by Stars and Stripes. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Vincent’s family, friends, and fellow soldiers.”
Please pray for all who knew and loved Spc. Vincent Sebastian Ibarria.
Coronavirus
It’s important to continually acknowledge and thank the thousands of American service members risking their safety during the ongoing war on coronavirus. Every single week, these heroes – many of whom are serving with the National Guard – quietly help ordinary Americans struggling during this deadly pandemic.
Yesterday, 1,220-plus people took advantage of free saliva-based testing for #COVID19 at Rehoboth Beach. About 25 @USNationalGuard Soldiers and Airmen joined staff with @DelawareEMA to run the walk-up testing site. For more photos, visit https://t.co/skFnWDtXLu #StopTheSpread pic.twitter.com/pud9YTKfxi — Delaware National Guard (@DelawareNG) July 8, 2020
Thank you to each and every American hero fighting COVID-19. You are administering tests, guarding hospitals and nursing homes, delivering supplies and performing countless other essential duties. Your daily sacrifices are noticed and deeply appreciated. We humbly ask God to keep you and your families healthy and safe.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Coming Home
A group of U.S. Navy sailors returned to San Diego this week after spending the last six months at sea.
Welcome home, heroes! Thank you for keeping us safe.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-07-10--Military Photo of the Day: B-1B Lancer Over Minot

A B-1B Lancer flies above Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on June 22 , 2020 .
Have a @ @ @ @ @ everyone !
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political @ @ @ @ @ of Our Day .

A B-1B Lancer flies above Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on June 22, 2020.
Have a healthy and safe weekend, everyone!
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thestream--2020-07-10--Three Cheers for the Historic Harper’s Letter!

A storm cloud gathers over governments and civil societies throughout the Western world .
We feel it in the increasingly suffocating atmosphere that hangs over public debate , stifling nuance and honest inquiry .
It blots out the light of free , open discussion and honest inquiry .
Behind it leaves nothing but dark , threatening slogans and rigid , tribal orthodoxies .
We watch the growing threat of illiberalism , over and against the Western , Anglo-American heritage of genuine liberalism .
Against our traditions of freedom .
But this week , we got a glimmer of hope .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ luminaries and artists did something historic .
They called on society , starting with their own cohorts of the political left , to conserve liberalism .
The letter warns against “ a new set of moral attitudes and political commitments that tend to weaken our norms of open debate and toleration of differences in favor of ideological conformity.
” While the letter states that “ forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world , ” it also argues that illiberalism has “ a powerful ally in Donald Trump , who represents a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that characterization of President Trump just as much as the next Republican .
But I don ’ t think it detracts from the letter ’ s value .
If anything , it adds to its credibility with its audience .
( More on that below . )
The letter goes on : It is “ now all too common to hear calls for swift and severe retribution in response to perceived transgressions of speech and thought.
” The letter warns : These authors clearly don ’ t just advocate for the freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amok , as illiberalism would dictate .
No , they advocate for the freedom of their opponents .
Of dissenters .
Of creative , eccentric , risk-taking innovators , and provocateurs .
For all their antipathy to Trump , these writers rose above the thoughtless , hateful coerciveness of illiberalism .
And they wrote , instead , a love letter to freedom .
In fact these people wrote a love letter to true liberalism .
We conservatives ought to understand such liberalism as Christian-inspired .
After all , what else but Christianity could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat one another with liberality ?
With clemency , openness , and respect ?
Christianity taught us that every one of our neighbors has incomparable dignity and worth .
That he bears the image and likeness of the almighty God , our common Creator .
That tenet of Christian thought created liberalism .
And whether they fully understand it or not , that same tenet that gave this letter ’ s signers the magnanimity to sign it .
Keep in mind , liberalism isn ’ t some airy , novel trend .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk .
It gave us the daylight we ’ ve enjoyed in this and other prosperous nations for centuries .
We know it as the driving force behind our greatest achievements , including rescuing millions from slavish violence and exclusionary hatreds .
Illiberalism would drag us back into that darkness .
We must remember now that illiberalism , for its part , is not a neutral , man-made tool .
We can ’ t perfect , control , and use it to make the world a better place .
Instead , like violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force that we can only hope to shelter from in liberal bastions of the world like our own .
The skies have grown especially dark this year .
The cloud of illiberalism spills down from the level of public debate into every corner of our private lives .
Daily for the past few months , we saw at least one or two people caught up in the storm and “ canceled.
” People get held up for ritual public humiliation , their reputations permanently blackened , day in , day out .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Nor do we see only politicians and public figures fall victim anymore .
Many ordinary , private citizens have slowly learned to live in constant fear .
Strangers with camera phones , vengeful ex-lovers , disgruntled coworkers … are they filming ?
At any moment , someone might use a photograph , a text , or an email against you .
Will I suffer next ?
Will my most unguarded moments end up trotted out for judgment in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Harper ’ s letter might prove so important , and even historic .
Because it stands as an intervention on behalf of the dignity of those victims of the new illiberalism .
A dignity which we , of all people , should feel bound to defend as well .
As conservative , you might feel tempted to poo poo this letter .
Stop , do a gut-check .
Are you so far gone , so conformed to the spirit of the age ?
Would you really reject the Christian liberalism that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
So powerfully , in fact that even Noam Chomsky now wants to conserve it .
As a conservative , I never thought I ’ d write this , but … three cheers for Noam Chomsky , J.K. Rowling , and Matthew Yglesias !
You can read the full open letter here .
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream .
He is a film producer , author , activist and human rights worker .
You can follow him @ JasonJonesShow .

A storm cloud gathers over governments and civil societies throughout the Western world.
We feel it in the increasingly suffocating atmosphere that hangs over public debate, stifling nuance and honest inquiry. It blots out the light of free, open discussion and honest inquiry. Behind it leaves nothing but dark, threatening slogans and rigid, tribal orthodoxies.
We watch the growing threat of illiberalism, over and against the Western, Anglo-American heritage of genuine liberalism. Against our traditions of freedom.
But this week, we got a glimmer of hope.
We Happy Few
A small, brave fellowship of left-leaning luminaries and artists did something historic. They called on society, starting with their own cohorts of the political left, to conserve liberalism.
The letter warns against “a new set of moral attitudes and political commitments that tend to weaken our norms of open debate and toleration of differences in favor of ideological conformity.”
While the letter states that “forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world,” it also argues that illiberalism has “a powerful ally in Donald Trump, who represents a real threat to democracy.”
I disagree with that characterization of President Trump just as much as the next Republican. But I don’t think it detracts from the letter’s value. If anything, it adds to its credibility with its audience. (More on that below.)
The letter goes on:
But resistance must not be allowed to harden into its own brand of dogma or coercion — which right-wing demagogues are already exploiting. The democratic inclusion we want can be achieved only if we speak out against the intolerant climate that has set in on all sides. (Emphasis added)
The 2020 Witch Trials
It is “now all too common to hear calls for swift and severe retribution in response to perceived transgressions of speech and thought.” The letter warns:
More troubling still, institutional leaders, in a spirit of panicked damage control, are delivering hasty and disproportionate punishments instead of considered reforms. Editors are fired for running controversial pieces; books are withdrawn for alleged inauthenticity; journalists are barred from writing on certain topics; professors are investigated for quoting works of literature in class; a researcher is fired for circulating a peer-reviewed academic study; and the heads of organizations are ousted for what are sometimes just clumsy mistakes.
These authors clearly don’t just advocate for the freedom of their own ideological tribe to run amok, as illiberalism would dictate. No, they advocate for the freedom of their opponents. Of dissenters. Of creative, eccentric, risk-taking innovators, and provocateurs.
For all their antipathy to Trump, these writers rose above the thoughtless, hateful coerciveness of illiberalism.
And they wrote, instead, a love letter to freedom.
Rooted in the Gospel
In fact these people wrote a love letter to true liberalism. We conservatives ought to understand such liberalism as Christian-inspired.
After all, what else but Christianity could motivate the many factions of society to treat one another with liberality? With clemency, openness, and respect?
Christianity taught us that every one of our neighbors has incomparable dignity and worth. That he bears the image and likeness of the almighty God, our common Creator.
What else but Christianity could motivate the many factions of society to treat one another with liberality? With clemency, openness, and respect?
That tenet of Christian thought created liberalism. And whether they fully understand it or not, that same tenet that gave this letter’s signers the magnanimity to sign it.
The Only Defensible Stance
Keep in mind, liberalism isn’t some airy, novel trend. It’s the ground on which we walk. It gave us the daylight we’ve enjoyed in this and other prosperous nations for centuries. We know it as the driving force behind our greatest achievements, including rescuing millions from slavish violence and exclusionary hatreds. Illiberalism would drag us back into that darkness.
We must remember now that illiberalism, for its part, is not a neutral, man-made tool. We can’t perfect, control, and use it to make the world a better place. Instead, like violent weather, it’s a primordial force that we can only hope to shelter from in liberal bastions of the world like our own.
As I’ve written elsewhere:
Illiberalism, wherever we find it, only operates on behalf of one faction. It works on the assumption that we’re always embroiled in a total war — a zero-sum competition between tribes which only one can ultimately win. This leaves all of us in a posture of insecurity, fragility, and defensiveness of our respective tribes, blindly striking out at all rivals, current or potential.
Conservative Gut-Check
The skies have grown especially dark this year. The cloud of illiberalism spills down from the level of public debate into every corner of our private lives. Daily for the past few months, we saw at least one or two people caught up in the storm and “canceled.” People get held up for ritual public humiliation, their reputations permanently blackened, day in, day out.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Nor do we see only politicians and public figures fall victim anymore. Many ordinary, private citizens have slowly learned to live in constant fear. Strangers with camera phones, vengeful ex-lovers, disgruntled coworkers … are they filming? At any moment, someone might use a photograph, a text, or an email against you. Will I suffer next? Will my most unguarded moments end up trotted out for judgment in the daily trial-by-internet-mob?
All this shows why the Harper’s letter might prove so important, and even historic. Because it stands as an intervention on behalf of the dignity of those victims of the new illiberalism. A dignity which we, of all people, should feel bound to defend as well.
Three Cheers for Freedom
As conservative, you might feel tempted to poo poo this letter. Stop, do a gut-check. Are you so far gone, so conformed to the spirit of the age? Would you really reject the Christian liberalism that has contributed so immensely to the common good? So powerfully, in fact that even Noam Chomsky now wants to conserve it.
As a conservative, I never thought I’d write this, but … three cheers for Noam Chomsky, J.K. Rowling, and Matthew Yglesias!
You can read the full open letter here.
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream. He is a film producer, author, activist and human rights worker. You can follow him @JasonJonesShow.


thestream--2020-07-10--House Freedom Caucus Urges State, Local Officials to Reopen Schools

The House Freedom Caucus on Thursday called on President Donald Trump , as well as state and local officials , not to let the coronavirus pandemic prevent the reopening of schools this fall .
“ It is more harmful to keep children locked out of schools , and less harmful and less risky for children to go back to schools , and that ’ s the bottom line .
It ’ s as simple as that , ” Rep. Andy Biggs , R-Ariz. , said at an outdoor press conference on the Capitol grounds .
Biggs is chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three dozen conservative and libertarian GOP members of the House .
Rep. Morgan Griffith , R-Va. , said local school districts should be making their own decisions with respect to reopening .
“ It is important that we at least express to the states around the country that we let this be a local decision , and that we follow science , ” he said .
“ What happens when you don ’ t go back to school ?
” Griffith asked , answering his own question : You have food insecurity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ being addressed .
There may be child abuse going on .
Nobody is seeing it ; nobody ’ s paying attention .
Parents are under a lot of stress .
Kids may be left at home .
Mom and dad may have to go to work , and then we ’ re leaving these kids at home .
Dr. Bob Hamilton , a pediatrician from Santa Monica , California , who joined the lawmakers at the press conference , said the coronavirus is not as dangerous to children as once thought , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus to others easily , either .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ Children in general are not getting sick in large numbers from SARS-CoV-2 infection .
Children are dying in very , very low numbers — almost zero , ” Hamilton said .
“ Children are not the superspreaders we initially thought them to be.
” He also highlighted the harms that isolation due to quarantining can cause .
“ The emotional and physical toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children is not positive , ” Hamilton said , adding : A press release from the House Freedom Caucus in advance of the press conference shared a similar message .
“ Doctors and scientists have shown the minimal risk that COVID-19 poses to children and young adults , and state and local officials are compromising our young people ’ s development by keeping schools closed over fear of COVID-19 , ” it said , adding : Rep. Andy Harris , R-Md.
, who is also a physician , said it ’ s time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get children back to school , get their education back on track.
” Speaking at a separate event Thursday , Trump agreed with the House Freedom Caucus .
“ We have to open our schools .
Open our schools .
Stop this nonsense , ” the president said .
The House Freedom Caucus ’ call for the reopening of schools comes as USA Today reported Monday that new cases in the USA had “ reached record highs , climbing to about 50,000 a day.
” “ Nearly 3 million Americans have contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died , according to data from Johns Hopkins University , ” the paper reported .

The House Freedom Caucus on Thursday called on President Donald Trump, as well as state and local officials, not to let the coronavirus pandemic prevent the reopening of schools this fall.
“It is more harmful to keep children locked out of schools, and less harmful and less risky for children to go back to schools, and that’s the bottom line. It’s as simple as that,” Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said at an outdoor press conference on the Capitol grounds.
Biggs is chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, which comprises about three dozen conservative and libertarian GOP members of the House.
Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., said local school districts should be making their own decisions with respect to reopening.
“It is important that we at least express to the states around the country that we let this be a local decision, and that we follow science,” he said.
“What happens when you don’t go back to school?” Griffith asked, answering his own question:
You have food insecurity. You have emotional problems that are not being addressed. There may be child abuse going on. Nobody is seeing it; nobody’s paying attention. Parents are under a lot of stress. Kids may be left at home. Mom and dad may have to go to work, and then we’re leaving these kids at home.
Dr. Bob Hamilton, a pediatrician from Santa Monica, California, who joined the lawmakers at the press conference, said the coronavirus is not as dangerous to children as once thought, and that they don’t pass the virus to others easily, either.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“Children in general are not getting sick in large numbers from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children are dying in very, very low numbers — almost zero,” Hamilton said. “Children are not the superspreaders we initially thought them to be.”
He also highlighted the harms that isolation due to quarantining can cause.
“The emotional and physical toll that long-term quarantine is having on our children is not positive,” Hamilton said, adding:
It is very clear that depression, stress, anxiety is increasing in large numbers and especially students in [the] junior high and high school age category.
A press release from the House Freedom Caucus in advance of the press conference shared a similar message.
“Doctors and scientists have shown the minimal risk that COVID-19 poses to children and young adults, and state and local officials are compromising our young people’s development by keeping schools closed over fear of COVID-19,” it said, adding:
Our children should not have to pay for irrational and unprecedented actions to close our schools to in-person instruction.
Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who is also a physician, said it’s time to “get the economy going, get children back to school, get their education back on track.”
Speaking at a separate event Thursday, Trump agreed with the House Freedom Caucus. “We have to open our schools. Open our schools. Stop this nonsense,” the president said.
The House Freedom Caucus’ call for the reopening of schools comes as USA Today reported Monday that new cases in the USA had “reached record highs, climbing to about 50,000 a day.”
“Nearly 3 million Americans have contracted the virus, and more than 130,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University,” the paper reported.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-07-10--5 Ways to Conquer the Cancel Culture

5 Ways to Conquer the Cancel Culture

As expected , the cancel culture is already out of control , now devouring itself .
One day it ’ s the statue of Teddy Roosevelt .
The next day it ’ s the smash musical Hamilton .
One day it ’ s J. K. Rowling .
The next it ’ s a Vox editor who stood with Rowling .
How do we overcome this dangerous and self-destructive culture ?
Here are 5 simple steps .
The concept is simple .
The more people try to silence you , the louder you speak .
The more they try to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The more doors they shut in your face , the more you open .
You use the attempts to silence you as the platform on which you stand .
But you don ’ t do this as a victim .
You do it as someone who is unfettered , who will not be muzzled , who is emboldened by the opposition .
Feed off of the attacks that come against you just as a fire feeds on wood .
The cancel culture will help you get your message out .
2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save your life .
This is something Jesus spoke of frequently , saying , “ For whoever would save his life will lose it , but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it ” ( Matthew 16:25 ) .
What , exactly , did he mean ?
I believe these words from a famous sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King explain the essence of what the Lord was saying .
Speaking at a church gathering in Selma , Alabama , March 8 , 1965 , King said “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old as I happen to be and some great truth stands before the door of his life — some great opportunity to stand up for that which is right — he ’ s afraid his home will get bombed or he ’ s afraid he will lose his job or he ’ s afraid that he will get shot or beat down by State Troopers ; he may go on and live until he ’ s 80 but he ’ s just as dead at 36 as he would be at 80 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is merely the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.
” Yes , he continued , “ A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right ; a man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice ; a man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.
” So , we lose our lives by trying to save them , meaning , trying to be accepted by people ; compromising our convictions for our companions ; becoming a slave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save our lives by losing them , meaning , by standing for what is right no matter the cost or consequence .
When we forfeit our lives , in that respect , we gain our lives .
We become free .
The cancel culture can take nothing from us because we have surrendered our lives to God and His purposes .
In doing so , we die to human threats .
They can no longer hurt us .
3 .
Expose the folly of the cancel culture .
Winston Churchill once said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeds the crocodile enough , the crocodile will eat him last .
All of them hope that the storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured.
” ( This became , “ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile — hoping it will eat him last.
” ) We need to expose this reality , demonstrating how the cancel culture will ultimately cancel itself out .
It must , since it will never be sufficiently woke .
To illustrate this point , on June 21 , I tweeted , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues and removing ‘ racist ’ brand names , should there be a move to cancel the Democratic Party , since the Democrats were the party of slavery , segregation , and Jim Crow ?
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
I even wrote an article as to why Charles Darwin should be cancelled because of his racist theories .
Where does it end ?
Who will be left standing ?
There is now a movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacy , which should soon lead right back to its founder Margaret Sanger .
But of course .
( For the record , I would be thrilled to see Planned Parenthood cancelled and Sanger denounced .
But I trust you get my larger point . )
When the cancellers realize they might be next on the list , they might just think twice .
Better still , they will recognize the folly of the cancel culture .
4 .
Learn to forgive from the heart .
The NFL ’ s Desean Jackson recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged words of Hitler in a plainly antisemitic comment .
This is inexcusable under any circumstance .
Since then , Jackson has offered multiple apologies and has pledged to meet with a local rabbi to learn and understand .
He should be forgiven , not cancelled .
He should be educated , not eradicated ( I mean , from the NFL ) .
All of us are the recipients of divine mercy ( otherwise we would be dead ) .
And I would dare say that all of us have also received human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We should show mercy to others .
In Paul ’ s words , “ bearing with one another and , if one has a complaint against another , forgiving each other ; as the Lord has forgiven you , so you also must forgive.
” ( Colossians 3:13 ; for a very strong parable of Jesus about forgiveness , see Matthew 18:21-35 . )
Another Pauline principle is this : “ Do not be overcome by evil , but overcome evil with good ” ( Romans 12:21 ) .
We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
We must become the opposite of it .
We must be so secure in our views that we welcome dissenting opinions and that we do not marginalize those who differ with us .
We can speak our minds clearly and forcefully .
We can vote for policies we believe are in the best interest of our country .
We can be dogmatic in our convictions and values .
But we can not silence or cancel out those who differ with us .
In the words attributed to Voltaire , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will defend to the death your right to say it.
” We ’ re not talking about someone ’ s “ right ” to break the law with his or her speech , since not everything is protected by the First Amendment .
And you have every right to forbid certain speech or opinions from your own platform .
( For example , if you run a vegan recipe website , you have the right to remove comments that offer beef recipes or that mock vegans . )
But when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university classroom , the workplace or Facebook , if the law is not being broken , let freedom reign .
This is how we overcome the cancel culture .
By gaining strength from it .
By becoming oblivious to it .
By exposing it .
By being merciful .
And by being better than it .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YouTube .

As expected, the cancel culture is already out of control, now devouring itself. One day it’s the statue of Teddy Roosevelt. The next day it’s the smash musical Hamilton. One day it’s J. K. Rowling. The next it’s a Vox editor who stood with Rowling. How do we overcome this dangerous and self-destructive culture? Here are 5 simple steps.
1. Speak louder.
The concept is simple. The more people try to silence you, the louder you speak. The more they try to shut you up, the louder you shout. The more doors they shut in your face, the more you open. You use the attempts to silence you as the platform on which you stand.
But you don’t do this as a victim. You do it as someone who is unfettered, who will not be muzzled, who is emboldened by the opposition. Feed off of the attacks that come against you just as a fire feeds on wood.
The cancel culture will help you get your message out.
2. Learn the principle of losing your life to save your life.
This is something Jesus spoke of frequently, saying, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
What, exactly, did he mean? I believe these words from a famous sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King explain the essence of what the Lord was saying.
Speaking at a church gathering in Selma, Alabama, March 8, 1965, King said “If a man happens to be 36 years old as I happen to be and some great truth stands before the door of his life — some great opportunity to stand up for that which is right — he’s afraid his home will get bombed or he’s afraid he will lose his job or he’s afraid that he will get shot or beat down by State Troopers; he may go on and live until he’s 80 but he’s just as dead at 36 as he would be at 80 and the cessation of breathing in his life is merely the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.”
We save our lives by losing them, meaning, by standing for what is right no matter the cost or consequence.
Yes, he continued, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right; a man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice; a man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.”
So, we lose our lives by trying to save them, meaning, trying to be accepted by people; compromising our convictions for our companions; becoming a slave to human opinions.
Conversely, we save our lives by losing them, meaning, by standing for what is right no matter the cost or consequence. When we forfeit our lives, in that respect, we gain our lives. We become free.
The cancel culture can take nothing from us because we have surrendered our lives to God and His purposes. In doing so, we die to human threats. They can no longer hurt us.
3. Expose the folly of the cancel culture.
Winston Churchill once said, “Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last. All of them hope that the storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured.” (This became, “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile — hoping it will eat him last.”)
We need to expose this reality, demonstrating how the cancel culture will ultimately cancel itself out. It must, since it will never be sufficiently woke.
To illustrate this point, on June 21, I tweeted, “In the spirit of pulling down historic statues and removing ‘racist’ brand names, should there be a move to cancel the Democratic Party, since the Democrats were the party of slavery, segregation, and Jim Crow?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I even wrote an article as to why Charles Darwin should be cancelled because of his racist theories.
Where does it end? Who will be left standing?
There is now a movement within Planned Parenthood to renounce its white supremacy, which should soon lead right back to its founder Margaret Sanger. But of course. (For the record, I would be thrilled to see Planned Parenthood cancelled and Sanger denounced. But I trust you get my larger point.)
When the cancellers realize they might be next on the list, they might just think twice. Better still, they will recognize the folly of the cancel culture.
4. Learn to forgive from the heart.
The NFL’s Desean Jackson recently made a horrible mistake, posting the alleged words of Hitler in a plainly antisemitic comment. This is inexcusable under any circumstance.
Since then, Jackson has offered multiple apologies and has pledged to meet with a local rabbi to learn and understand. He should be forgiven, not cancelled. He should be educated, not eradicated (I mean, from the NFL).
All of us are the recipients of divine mercy (otherwise we would be dead). And I would dare say that all of us have also received human mercy at some point in our lives. We should show mercy to others.
In Paul’s words, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13; for a very strong parable of Jesus about forgiveness, see Matthew 18:21-35.)
5. Make room for differing opinions.
Another Pauline principle is this: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
We cannot defeat the cancel culture by becoming like it. We must become the opposite of it.
We must be so secure in our views that we welcome dissenting opinions and that we do not marginalize those who differ with us.
We can speak our minds clearly and forcefully. We can vote for policies we believe are in the best interest of our country. We can be dogmatic in our convictions and values.
But we cannot silence or cancel out those who differ with us. In the words attributed to Voltaire, “I wholly disapprove of what you say — and will defend to the death your right to say it.”
We’re not talking about someone’s “right” to break the law with his or her speech, since not everything is protected by the First Amendment. And you have every right to forbid certain speech or opinions from your own platform. (For example, if you run a vegan recipe website, you have the right to remove comments that offer beef recipes or that mock vegans.)
But when it comes to the public square, be it the university classroom, the workplace or Facebook, if the law is not being broken, let freedom reign.
This is how we overcome the cancel culture. By gaining strength from it. By becoming oblivious to it. By exposing it. By being merciful. And by being better than it.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-07-10--The Authoritarian Left Fears a Level Playing Field

New York Times columnist Tom Friedman ’ s proposal that Joe Biden shouldn ’ t debate President Donald Trump unless “ a real-time fact-checking team ” is part of the mix is an ironic illustration of the closed-mindedness of the left .
Why would Friedman want a candidate who is eager to contrast his views with Trump ’ s to impose conditions that would make a debate less likely , unless , of course , Friedman realizes that the failing Biden would be particularly disastrous in a debate ?
That seems to be the case here , as Friedman ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release his tax returns for 2016 through 2018 — is just as unrealistic but not for the reason Democrats would have you believe .
It ’ s not that they think Trump is concealing some sinister criminality but that the returns would be a gold mine for ginning up class resentment against the mega-wealthy Trump and fodder to smear him with innuendo .
Friedman recommends the fact-checkers be approved by both candidates “ and that 10 minutes before the scheduled conclusion of the debate this team report on any misleading statements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had uttered .
That way no one in that massive television audience can go away easily misled.
” He arrogantly implies that his candidate — Biden — would automatically win in a truth contest .
But why should anyone assume the confessed plagiarist and policy chameleon would have an advantage here ?
The answer is that Friedman knows , perhaps subconsciously , that any such process would be rigged .
Like so many terms in the liberal lexicon , “ fact-checker ” doesn ’ t mean what progressives want you to think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the liberal media who depict opinions as facts , such as a conservative ’ s assertion ( or progressive ’ s denial ) that we have a crisis on the southern border .
At one point , the network-news broadcasts were pregnant with panting anchors apoplectic over the claim and dubbed it an outright lie .
As conditions at the border steadily deteriorated to undeniable crisis levels , we heard no retraction from Democrats , much less from the opinion-checkers .
We shouldn ’ t ignore Friedman ’ s ludicrous proposal simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it provides a window into the progressive mind .
Many progressives are frighteningly narrow-minded , intellectually cloistered and authoritarian .
They tend to believe their opinions are facts ( or so morally superior that they ought to be treated as such ) and so are justified in censoring opposing views as inarguably false , immoral , offensive or politically incorrect .
In institutions they dominate , such as academia and Hollywood ( or bar associations ) , they get to define what is offensive and then ban it — by diktat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking invitation for psychologist Jordan Peterson because of his skepticism about white privilege and climate change .
Compounding foolishness with absurdity , the censors claimed they disinvited him to promote an “ inclusive environment.
” Similarly , some state bar associations now require , as part of the continuing legal education lawyers must imbibe to retain their licenses , a course in diversity , inclusion and anti-bias .
Attorneys must sit through the propaganda , during which certain debatable assumptions are treated as fact and the progressive agenda is advanced .
One presenter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of bias in every aspect of their law practice — that they should always be mindful of it as they tackle any legal problem , presumably even those that couldn ’ t remotely touch on the subject .
How ’ s that for thought control ?
The Left Knows Its Views Won ’ t Prevail One takeaway from these examples and hundreds more is that the left , at its core , lacks confidence that its views could prevail in the marketplace of ideas , and so it manipulates the playing field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the destruction of monuments and erasing our history because it wants to control not only the current narrative but also the historical one .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Friedman ’ s fearlessness of fact-checkers doesn ’ t mean he ’ s confident that Trump ’ s dishonesty and Biden ’ s truthfulness will be exposed but that today ’ s “ fact-checkers ” will almost always come down on the side of progressives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative that they ’ re confident their subjective ideas will be presented as factual .
Perhaps even scarier is that they think their opinions are objectively true .
Why must they control people and their thoughts ?
Why can ’ t they allow people to draw their own lessons from history instead of purging it ?
Why are they afraid of debate viewers deciding for themselves whether Trump ’ s or Biden ’ s ideas are more compelling and truthful ?
How often do conservatives propose that we erase evidence of our history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they find it offensive ?
Do conservative business owners ever send employees to sensitivity training because their views aren ’ t conservative enough ?
Tom Friedman ’ s laughable idea is no laughing matter because he represents the authoritarian progressive mindset .
That many such progressives sincerely believe their ideas are superior isn ’ t the problem .
The problem is that they want to limit your freedom to oppose them .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

New York Times columnist Tom Friedman’s proposal that Joe Biden shouldn’t debate President Donald Trump unless “a real-time fact-checking team” is part of the mix is an ironic illustration of the closed-mindedness of the left.
Why would Friedman want a candidate who is eager to contrast his views with Trump’s to impose conditions that would make a debate less likely, unless, of course, Friedman realizes that the failing Biden would be particularly disastrous in a debate?
That seems to be the case here, as Friedman’s other condition — that Trump agree to release his tax returns for 2016 through 2018 — is just as unrealistic but not for the reason Democrats would have you believe. It’s not that they think Trump is concealing some sinister criminality but that the returns would be a gold mine for ginning up class resentment against the mega-wealthy Trump and fodder to smear him with innuendo.
A Rigged Process
Friedman recommends the fact-checkers be approved by both candidates “and that 10 minutes before the scheduled conclusion of the debate this team report on any misleading statements, phony numbers or outright lies either candidate had uttered. That way no one in that massive television audience can go away easily misled.”
He arrogantly implies that his candidate — Biden — would automatically win in a truth contest. But why should anyone assume the confessed plagiarist and policy chameleon would have an advantage here?
The answer is that Friedman knows, perhaps subconsciously, that any such process would be rigged. Like so many terms in the liberal lexicon, “fact-checker” doesn’t mean what progressives want you to think it means.
A Window Into the Progressive Mind
Invariably, fact-checkers are adjuncts of the liberal media who depict opinions as facts, such as a conservative’s assertion (or progressive’s denial) that we have a crisis on the southern border. At one point, the network-news broadcasts were pregnant with panting anchors apoplectic over the claim and dubbed it an outright lie. As conditions at the border steadily deteriorated to undeniable crisis levels, we heard no retraction from Democrats, much less from the opinion-checkers.
We shouldn’t ignore Friedman’s ludicrous proposal simply because it will never be adopted, as it provides a window into the progressive mind. Many progressives are frighteningly narrow-minded, intellectually cloistered and authoritarian. They tend to believe their opinions are facts (or so morally superior that they ought to be treated as such) and so are justified in censoring opposing views as inarguably false, immoral, offensive or politically incorrect.
Censorship and Thought Control
In institutions they dominate, such as academia and Hollywood (or bar associations), they get to define what is offensive and then ban it — by diktat. For example, Cambridge University rescinded a speaking invitation for psychologist Jordan Peterson because of his skepticism about white privilege and climate change. Compounding foolishness with absurdity, the censors claimed they disinvited him to promote an “inclusive environment.”
Similarly, some state bar associations now require, as part of the continuing legal education lawyers must imbibe to retain their licenses, a course in diversity, inclusion and anti-bias. Attorneys must sit through the propaganda, during which certain debatable assumptions are treated as fact and the progressive agenda is advanced. One presenter admonished his captive audience to consider the possibility of bias in every aspect of their law practice — that they should always be mindful of it as they tackle any legal problem, presumably even those that couldn’t remotely touch on the subject. How’s that for thought control?
The Left Knows Its Views Won’t Prevail
One takeaway from these examples and hundreds more is that the left, at its core, lacks confidence that its views could prevail in the marketplace of ideas, and so it manipulates the playing field. We see this in its support for the destruction of monuments and erasing our history because it wants to control not only the current narrative but also the historical one.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Friedman’s fearlessness of fact-checkers doesn’t mean he’s confident that Trump’s dishonesty and Biden’s truthfulness will be exposed but that today’s “fact-checkers” will almost always come down on the side of progressives. Progressives are so used to controlling the narrative that they’re confident their subjective ideas will be presented as factual. Perhaps even scarier is that they think their opinions are objectively true.
Why must they control people and their thoughts? Why can’t they allow people to draw their own lessons from history instead of purging it? Why are they afraid of debate viewers deciding for themselves whether Trump’s or Biden’s ideas are more compelling and truthful?
No Laughing Matter
How often do conservatives propose that we erase evidence of our history? That we ban certain speech because they find it offensive? Do conservative business owners ever send employees to sensitivity training because their views aren’t conservative enough?
Tom Friedman’s laughable idea is no laughing matter because he represents the authoritarian progressive mindset. That many such progressives sincerely believe their ideas are superior isn’t the problem. The problem is that they want to limit your freedom to oppose them.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-07-10--Is the White Race the ‘Lamb That Was Slain’? Part II

A few days back I had a startling realization .
I saw with sudden clarity why “ Woke ” white people crowd behind movements that cancel and blame them .
Why they seem eager to saddle themselves and their children with inexpiable guilt for nebulous , unproven crimes .
Why privileged whites prove much less skeptical of the Marxist cult Black Lives Matter than most black Americans seem to .
These people aren ’ t just engaged in a masochistic frenzy .
Or atoning for “ racism ” they never practiced to make up for sins which they really committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marriages , or other evils society forbids us to acknowledge . )
We ’ re way beyond virtue-signaling here .
Read the following report of the latest religious outburst in Seattle .
The City of Seattle held a segregated training session for white staffers last month in which they instructed workers on how to ‘ undo their whiteness ’ and affirm their ‘ complicity in racism ’ , reports suggest .
Titled ‘ Interrupting Internalized Racial Superiority and Whiteness ’ , the training session was reportedly held by the Office of Civil Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters took part in the CHOP zone demonstrations in the Capitol Hill district .
Christopher F. Rufo , an editor for City Journal and director of the Discovery Institute ’ s Center on Wealth and Poverty , unearthed the session ’ s existence after filing a Freedom of Information request last week , which was approved Monday .
One handout distributed in the two-and-a-half hour session reportedly read that ‘ racism is not our fault but we are responsible.
’ Another said white staffers must give up ‘ the land ’ and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an ‘ accomplice ’ for racial justice .
‘ We ’ ll examine our complicity in the system of white supremacy – how we internalize and reinforce it – and begin to cultivate practices that enable us to interrupt racism in ways to be accountable to Black , Indigenous and People of Color ( BIPOC ) folks within our community , ’ the email continued .
He said that first of all ‘ diversity trainers informed white participants that “ objectivity , ” “ individualism , ” “ intellectualization , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of internalized racial oppression.
’ You ’ ll find the same Gnostic jargon in the overnight bestseller White Fragility , written ( of course ) by an upper middle class white woman .
It ’ s coming soon to an HR department near you .
No , this isn ’ t all an act .
It ’ s a charismatic happening , a perverse but powerful Great Awokening that really does reflect the movement of spirits .
Just not the spirits we ’ d want to confront without an exorcist at our elbow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Black Lives Matter and its advocates really have , none of this has anything whatever to do with poor George Floyd .
Or with the real lives or deaths of any black people on earth .
They just serve as the pretext for a mighty conversion experience .
That ’ s why the same whites who flog themselves figuratively or literally over “ systemic racism ” don ’ t flinch at the huge spike in black deaths by crime .
Or Black Lives Matter ’ s support for Planned Parenthood , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the obvious impact defunded police will have on the poorest , least safe communities .
Blacks have done their part and may now step aside .
It ’ s for white activists and white participants to get on with the real task at hand : Turning the white race itself , and its countries and cultures , into a vast Christ figure which can be scapegoated , sacrificed , then fetishized and worshiped .
Whatever principalities and powers are driving them have taught Woke whites to hijack the figure of Jesus .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ whiteness ” and whites .
They look at whites collectively as a mystical body of Christ .
That ’ s why they saddle it with unearthly , messianic expectations , which they ’ d never ask of Han Chinese in China or Hutus in Rwanda .
They demand that Swedes and Germans , in their own countries , detest their own culture and heritage .
And fund their own dispossession by poor , assertive immigrants .
The Woke expect white Americans to live in unending shame for our ancestors ’ conquest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands of ethnic groups that conquered other continents ?
Does it even cross their minds to criticize Arabs for overwhelming dozens of nations and imposing Islam on a third of the world ?
Or operating a slave trade well into the 20th century , kidnapping millions of women sold as prostitutes ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Do Woke whites agonize over the two million Uighur Muslims suffering in Chinese concentration camps , making Nike sneakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the regime ’ s organ thieves ?
Were these Woke folk concerned about the systematic rape and trafficking of Yezidi and Christian girls and women by ISIS ?
Do they care about the black lives of Nigerian Christians today being held by Boko Haram ?
Of course not .
The Woke don ’ t expect such scruples of “ lesser breeds without the law ” ( see Rudyard Kipling ) .
They only impose the “ white man ’ s burden ” of self-sacrificial guilt as a kind of cross .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which they already secretly worship .
You don ’ t expect unearthly perfection , suicidal self-sacrifice and preternatural meekness of a merely human race .
No one would march Barabbas up Golgotha and expect him to remain meek and mild .
Or pray for his persecutors as he hung from four nails and bled .
No , by their very willingness to crucify their race , to heap up abuse and shame on it , they propel whiteness on to its final , paradoxical victory on the cross .
Its death will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world free .
By renouncing the right to self-defense , self-respect , or even existence , the white race will have proved that it is something more than human .
That ’ s it ’ s in fact a second Christ .
Even as white countries slip away , its spirit will conquer the world .
It won ’ t be Arab Islam , or African Christianity , or even Chinese Communism that dominates the future .
These people think Woke white ideology will sweep the entire world .
They ’ ll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Body of Whiteness , with members of every color converted to its creed .
That ’ s what we ’ re facing people .
The word for it is Antichrist .
Don ’ t speak the prayer to it which Caesar and Mammon demand of you .
( “ Black Lives Matter , ” incanted like a spell . )
In fact , get busy blaspheming it , while you still have the freedom to .
For Part I of this analysis see this column .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

A few days back I had a startling realization. I saw with sudden clarity why “Woke” white people crowd behind movements that cancel and blame them. Why they seem eager to saddle themselves and their children with inexpiable guilt for nebulous, unproven crimes. Why privileged whites prove much less skeptical of the Marxist cult Black Lives Matter than most black Americans seem to.
These people aren’t just engaged in a masochistic frenzy. Or atoning for “racism” they never practiced to make up for sins which they really committed. (I.e., abortions, broken marriages, or other evils society forbids us to acknowledge.) We’re way beyond virtue-signaling here. Read the following report of the latest religious outburst in Seattle.
Undo Your Whiteness
The City of Seattle held a segregated training session for white staffers last month in which they instructed workers on how to ‘undo their whiteness’ and affirm their ‘complicity in racism’, reports suggest. Titled ‘Interrupting Internalized Racial Superiority and Whiteness’, the training session was reportedly held by the Office of Civil Rights on June 12, the same day protesters took part in the CHOP zone demonstrations in the Capitol Hill district. Christopher F. Rufo, an editor for City Journal and director of the Discovery Institute’s Center on Wealth and Poverty, unearthed the session’s existence after filing a Freedom of Information request last week, which was approved Monday. One handout distributed in the two-and-a-half hour session reportedly read that ‘racism is not our fault but we are responsible.’ Another said white staffers must give up ‘the land’ and their ‘guaranteed physical safety’ in order to be an ‘accomplice’ for racial justice. … ‘We’ll examine our complicity in the system of white supremacy – how we internalize and reinforce it – and begin to cultivate practices that enable us to interrupt racism in ways to be accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) folks within our community,’ the email continued. … He said that first of all ‘diversity trainers informed white participants that “objectivity,” “individualism,” “intellectualization,” and “comfort” are all vestiges of internalized racial oppression.’
You’ll find the same Gnostic jargon in the overnight bestseller White Fragility, written (of course) by an upper middle class white woman. It’s coming soon to an HR department near you.
No, this isn’t all an act. It’s a charismatic happening, a perverse but powerful Great Awokening that really does reflect the movement of spirits. Just not the spirits we’d want to confront without an exorcist at our elbow.
Remembering George Who?
In case you forgot him, as Black Lives Matter and its advocates really have, none of this has anything whatever to do with poor George Floyd. Or with the real lives or deaths of any black people on earth. They just serve as the pretext for a mighty conversion experience. That’s why the same whites who flog themselves figuratively or literally over “systemic racism” don’t flinch at the huge spike in black deaths by crime. Or Black Lives Matter’s support for Planned Parenthood, which targets blacks for abortion. Or even the obvious impact defunded police will have on the poorest, least safe communities.
The Woke don’t expect such scruples of “lesser breeds without the law.” They only impose the “white man’s burden” of self-sacrificial guilt as a kind of cross. One to be carried by a white savior, which they already secretly worship.
Blacks have done their part and may now step aside. It’s for white activists and white participants to get on with the real task at hand: Turning the white race itself, and its countries and cultures, into a vast Christ figure which can be scapegoated, sacrificed, then fetishized and worshiped.
The Ultimate White Savior
Whatever principalities and powers are driving them have taught Woke whites to hijack the figure of Jesus. And then to apply His unique characteristics to “whiteness” and whites. They look at whites collectively as a mystical body of Christ. That’s why they saddle it with unearthly, messianic expectations, which they’d never ask of Han Chinese in China or Hutus in Rwanda. They demand that Swedes and Germans, in their own countries, detest their own culture and heritage. And fund their own dispossession by poor, assertive immigrants.
The Woke expect white Americans to live in unending shame for our ancestors’ conquest of this continent. Do they make similar demands of ethnic groups that conquered other continents? Does it even cross their minds to criticize Arabs for overwhelming dozens of nations and imposing Islam on a third of the world? Or operating a slave trade well into the 20th century, kidnapping millions of women sold as prostitutes?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Do Woke whites agonize over the two million Uighur Muslims suffering in Chinese concentration camps, making Nike sneakers? Getting cannibalized for lungs and livers by the regime’s organ thieves? Were these Woke folk concerned about the systematic rape and trafficking of Yezidi and Christian girls and women by ISIS? Do they care about the black lives of Nigerian Christians today being held by Boko Haram?
The White Man’s Burden: A Cross
Of course not. The Woke don’t expect such scruples of “lesser breeds without the law” (see Rudyard Kipling). They only impose the “white man’s burden” of self-sacrificial guilt as a kind of cross. One to be carried by a white savior, which they already secretly worship.
You don’t expect unearthly perfection, suicidal self-sacrifice and preternatural meekness of a merely human race. No one would march Barabbas up Golgotha and expect him to remain meek and mild. Or pray for his persecutors as he hung from four nails and bled. No, by their very willingness to crucify their race, to heap up abuse and shame on it, they propel whiteness on to its final, paradoxical victory on the cross. Its death will vanquish evil, and set the whole world free.
The White Race, Lord of History
By renouncing the right to self-defense, self-respect, or even existence, the white race will have proved that it is something more than human. That’s it’s in fact a second Christ. Even as white countries slip away, its spirit will conquer the world. It won’t be Arab Islam, or African Christianity, or even Chinese Communism that dominates the future. These people think Woke white ideology will sweep the entire world. They’ll have built up for the future a Mystical Body of Whiteness, with members of every color converted to its creed.
That’s what we’re facing people. The word for it is Antichrist. Don’t speak the prayer to it which Caesar and Mammon demand of you. (“Black Lives Matter,” incanted like a spell.) In fact, get busy blaspheming it, while you still have the freedom to.
For Part I of this analysis see this column.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-07-10--Trump Touts Education, Economic Opportunities for Hispanics

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday creating a program aimed at improving Hispanic Americans ’ access to education and economic opportunities .
“ We will expand our efforts across all of the federal government to create educational and economic opportunity for Hispanic Americans , ” Trump said to applause in the Rose Garden , describing the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative .
The president said education and school choice are “ at the heart of our strategy to bring a prosperous future for every Hispanic American , as well as all Americans.
” “ We are a believer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe in choice , ” Trump said .
“ Choice is a great civil rights issue , and may be the great one of our times.
” The executive order boosts the Trump administration ’ s support for school choice , establishes new career pathways including apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives .
It also directs federal dollars to economically distressed communities , which includes the administration ’ s “ opportunity zones ” program and promoting opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ I ’ m going to fight to ensure that every Hispanic American parent has the freedom and the right to send your child to the public , private , charter , faith-based , magnet , home or independent school of your choice , ” Trump told an audience of invited business and community leaders of Hispanic descent , adding : It ’ s also a moral issue and it really is a fundamental issue of civil rights .
No American student should ever be trapped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened so often for so many years .
It ’ s one of the problems you see when you see these cities going up in flames .
The executive order encourages private-sector initiatives and fosters public-private partnerships .
It also establishes the President ’ s Advisory Commission on Hispanic Prosperity , which will identify in-demand jobs for students that include apprenticeships , internships , and work-based learning opportunities .
During his administration , Trump said , the Hispanic graduation rate reached an all-time high and the dropout rate fell to an all-time low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , Hispanic American unemployment was at historic lows and wages were at historic highs .
“ We ’ re getting back to it very quickly , ” Trump said .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also spoke , noting that 80 % of Hispanic Americans support school choice .
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said his department looked at all communities that are particularly affected by COVID-19 , and how the disease often resulted in rising cases of hypertension , obesity , asthma , and diabetes .
“ Every single person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Carson said .
“ We only have 330 million people .
It sounds like a lot , but it ’ s a quarter of what China has , a quarter of what India has .
And we are going to have to compete with them in the future , so we are going to have to develop all of our people.
” “ And your emphasis on education and educational choice will be the thing that really distinguishes and liberates our people , ” Carson said .
“ So thank you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of History ” podcast .
Lucas is also the author of “ Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections.
” Send an email to Fred .

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday creating a program aimed at improving Hispanic Americans’ access to education and economic opportunities.
“We will expand our efforts across all of the federal government to create educational and economic opportunity for Hispanic Americans,” Trump said to applause in the Rose Garden, describing the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative.
The president said education and school choice are “at the heart of our strategy to bring a prosperous future for every Hispanic American, as well as all Americans.”
“We are a believer in choice. The other folks don’t believe in choice,” Trump said. “Choice is a great civil rights issue, and may be the great one of our times.”
The executive order boosts the Trump administration’s support for school choice, establishes new career pathways including apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives. It also directs federal dollars to economically distressed communities, which includes the administration’s “opportunity zones” program and promoting opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“I’m going to fight to ensure that every Hispanic American parent has the freedom and the right to send your child to the public, private, charter, faith-based, magnet, home or independent school of your choice,” Trump told an audience of invited business and community leaders of Hispanic descent, adding:
It’s also a moral issue and it really is a fundamental issue of civil rights. No American student should ever be trapped in a failing government school, which has happened so often for so many years. It’s one of the problems you see when you see these cities going up in flames.
The executive order encourages private-sector initiatives and fosters public-private partnerships. It also establishes the President’s Advisory Commission on Hispanic Prosperity, which will identify in-demand jobs for students that include apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning opportunities.
During his administration, Trump said, the Hispanic graduation rate reached an all-time high and the dropout rate fell to an all-time low. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, Hispanic American unemployment was at historic lows and wages were at historic highs.
“We’re getting back to it very quickly,” Trump said.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also spoke, noting that 80% of Hispanic Americans support school choice.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said his department looked at all communities that are particularly affected by COVID-19, and how the disease often resulted in rising cases of hypertension, obesity, asthma, and diabetes.
“Every single person in our society is worth saving,” Carson said. “We only have 330 million people. It sounds like a lot, but it’s a quarter of what China has, a quarter of what India has. And we are going to have to compete with them in the future, so we are going to have to develop all of our people.”
“And your emphasis on education and educational choice will be the thing that really distinguishes and liberates our people,” Carson said. “So thank you, Mr. President.”
Fred Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “The Right Side of History” podcast. Lucas is also the author of “Tainted by Suspicion: The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections.” Send an email to Fred.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-07-11--What’s Wrong With Critical Race Theory?

What’s Wrong With Critical Race Theory?

What is the best way for us to respond to racial unrest in our culture ?
Like you , I was grieved at the horrifically unjust murder of George Floyd .
Like most Americans , too , I am concerned about many other innocent lives who have also been taken in the riots , anarchy and division in our nation .
As Americans are looking for answers , many of my Christian friends are turning to a popular response called Social Justice or being Woke .
But what is Social Justice ?
What does it mean to be Woke ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Critical Race Theory .
Critical Race Theory is a more narrowly focused subset of Critical Theory ( which is an offshoot of Marxism ) .
It ’ s been taught for years at American universities .
It has saturated the arts and media .
Now it ’ s being promoted by Fortune 500 corporate executives and many evangelical Christian leaders .
The # 1 ranked book on Amazon recently is critical theorist Robin DiAngelo ’ s White Fragility .
Other critical theory texts like Ibram Kendi ’ s How to Be an Antiracist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has wrestled with social unrest .
But what is this theory ?
Understanding it is crucial to knowing how best to respond to it .
Critical Theory is a school of thought that originated in Frankfurt , Germany , right before World War II .
The school extended the concept of Marxism beyond economics to address perceived power structures in culture .
For example , Jewish people were labeled “ privileged ” and deemed worthy of persecution .
Critical Theory divides people into two groups : the oppressors and the oppressed .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but on broad categories like race , sex , gender and religion .
Whether you are an oppressor or the oppressed depends on your group identity .
Karl Marx taught in his Communist Manifesto that the history of all society is class struggles .
He emphasized his distaste towards capitalism for setting up a conflict between the classes of the owners ( the bourgeoisie ) and the working class ( the proletariat ) .
Critical Race Theory differs in saying that it ’ s not about owners versus workers — it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of an oppressor group based on your race , you are always oppressing the oppressed group , whether you know it or not .
There ’ s a moral component here .
Oppressed group members have a level of moral knowledge and authority that the oppressor group can never attain .
Ibram Kendi in his book , How to Be an Anti-Racist says , “ The claim of ‘ not racist ’ neutrality is a mask for racism … The language of colorblindness — like the language of ‘ not racist ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( p. 9-10 ) The academic textbook , Is Everyone Really Equal ?
by DiAngelo and Sensoy includes a chart showing that the dominant group , which is white , oppresses the minority group , people of color , through racism .
Also presented in the table ( and part of Critical Theory , though not Critical Race Theory ) : The dominant oppressor group , men , oppresses the targeted group , women , through sexism .
The oppressor group heterosexuals oppresses gays , lesbians , bi-sexuals and two-spirit people .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslims , Buddhists , Jews , Hindus and non-Christians .
Curiously , these authors fail to mention that Christians in nations like Nigeria , North Korea , Sri Lanka , Iraq , China and Europe are the most targeted and persecuted persons in the world .
Critical Theory extends even further .
Suppose a person is in one oppressed group like race ( black ) but also in one of the oppressor groups like gender ( male ) .
This is where the term Intersectionality comes into play .
According to Intersectionality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral perspective and authority than those who have only one of those characteristics .
However , according to Critical Theory , a straight white man can gain back some of his moral authenticity by submitting to the oppressed group and affirming the dogma of the oppressed .
This is called being Woke .
Webster ’ s defines Woke as “ aware or actively attentive to important facts and issues ( especially issues of racial and social justice ) .
” Robin DiAngelo , who is white , affirms that all whites are racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The white woman in this dialogue with a black police officer is expressing the philosophy of Critical Race Theory .
DiAngelo explains that if you ’ re a white person , “ your opinions on racism are most likely ignorant.
” If white persons are called racist or are pressured to say something about race , they may experience “ anger , fear and guilt and behaviors such as argumentation , silence and withdrawal from the stress-inducing situation.
” ( page 12 ) These responses demonstrate their White Fragility .
If a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this , Critical Theory social justice advocates will likely just ignore them .
Why is this so ?
The answer begins with Critical Race Theory ’ s view that says that belief in individual responsibility and objectivity are traits of the oppressor group , and not shared by others .
Critical Theory denies that we can have real objective knowledge .
Sensoy and DiAngelo write , “ An approach based in Critical Theory calls into question the idea that objectivity is desirable or even possible , ” and “ Who we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our group socialization ( including gender , race , class and sexuality ) … what you know is connected to ‘ who you are ’ and ‘ where you stand.
’ ” ( p. 29 ) Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle asserted that we could know things through our senses and through rational analysis .
Several hundred years after Aristotle , many of the writers of the New Testament believed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know truth objectively .
Paul wrote a letter to a church in Rome explaining that non-believing Gentiles had a law written on their hearts .
Paul would also write things like : “ This you know with certainty … ” ( Ephesians 5:5 ) .
Jesus told the skeptical Pharisees and Sadducees , “ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky.
” ( Matthew 16:3 ) We don ’ t invent truth , we observe and respond to it .
This conviction has been our heritage for centuries .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Scientific Revolution , medicine , the curing of disease , artistic genius and the creation of free , human cultures .
But the Critical Theory school of thought rejects objective scientific knowledge and embraces the agnosticism founded in the philosopher Immanuel Kant .
Kant said we can ’ t know reality as it is in itself , but only our interpretations of our experiences , formed in our minds .
This has led to postmodernism , which ( among other things ) teaches that you can not know reality or true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have a “ Womanist interpretation ” or a “ Black hermeneutic , ” but you can ’ t draw any objective conclusions independent of your “ identity.
” If Objective Knowledge is Impossible — How Do You Know This ?
But there are problems with this .
When DiAngelo says , “ objective knowledge is impossible , ” ask her , “ How is it possible that you know this ?
” If critical theorists say that according to their system , true , objective knowledge is impossible , why should we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Aren ’ t they assuming that , by reading what they wrote , we can gain knowledge that applies to our lives ?
If so , doesn ’ t this undermine their view that we can ’ t have knowledge ?
Another logical fallacy to listen for is the Genetic Fallacy .
The Genetic Fallacy comes into play when someone says your statement ( even if it is true ! )
is irrelevant solely based on one ’ s origin , gender , history or source rather than the truthfulness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Race Theory will say , “ White men should shut up and listen.
” But if they are silent ( i.e.
, listening ) , that ’ s also violence : White silence is violence , too .
With charity and clarity , we should remind our friends , truth claims do not have race or gender .
That includes statements about ethical truths .
So a person can speak truth , even if the person is of a different gender or origin .
Critical Theory is also irrational in teaching that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusive access to truth that the so-called oppressor is bound from because of his ethnicity or gender .
Granted , majority group members should listen to minority group members .
Listening is prudent — it expresses love and it aids understanding .
But we must be careful never to suggest that one ’ s race , gender or sociological identity gives them unchallengeable insight into all of reality .
To affirm such is false humility .
Critical Race Theory promises liberation for the oppressed , but it falls short in explaining or solving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive judgments , it quickly creates new hierarchies that destroy the value of other human life .
Our fundamental identity is in our humanity and our relationship with our Creator , not in secondary and less important distinctions of ethnicity or sex .
A Cycle That Can Never Satisfy The theory ’ s promised liberation also follows on bad historical precedent .
Too many regimes sought salvation through liberation , but at the expense of denying the life and liberty of others .
Oppression is morally wrong , but so are sins of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pride .
Seeking liberation through Critical Theory , Social Justice leads instead to more injustice .
It ’ s a cycle that can never satisfy .
Through the person of Jesus Christ , though , there is a true solution .
“ But God demonstrates his love of us in this , that while we were still sinners , Christ died for us.
” ( Romans 5:8 ) True freedom comes when we are liberated from the bondage of our own sins , by trusting in Christ ’ s death and resurrection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Truth , a non-profit organization that is training Christians in evangelism and cultural engagement .
He is the author/co-author of several books , including Why Trust Jesus , We Choose Life and I Am Second .
Dave works as an account executive in oncology biotechnology and is passionate about helping cancer patients .

What is the best way for us to respond to racial unrest in our culture? Like you, I was grieved at the horrifically unjust killing of George Floyd. Like most Americans, too, I am concerned about many other innocent lives who have also been taken in the riots, anarchy and division in our nation. As Americans are looking for answers, many of my Christian friends are turning to a popular response called Social Justice or being Woke. But what is Social Justice? What does it mean to be Woke?
It stems from an academic practice called Critical Race Theory. Critical Race Theory is a more narrowly focused subset of Critical Theory (which is an offshoot of Marxism). It’s been taught for years at American universities. It has saturated the arts and media. Now it’s being promoted by Fortune 500 corporate executives and many evangelical Christian leaders.
A Nation Wrestling with Social Unrest
The #1 ranked book on Amazon recently is critical theorist Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility. Other critical theory texts like Ibram Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist have risen in sales as the nation has wrestled with social unrest. But what is this theory? Understanding it is crucial to knowing how best to respond to it.
Critical Theory is a school of thought that originated in Frankfurt, Germany, right before World War II. The school extended the concept of Marxism beyond economics to address perceived power structures in culture. For example, Jewish people were labeled “privileged” and deemed worthy of persecution.
Critical Theory divides people into two groups: the oppressors and the oppressed. This judgment is not based on individual behavior, but on broad categories like race, sex, gender and religion. Whether you are an oppressor or the oppressed depends on your group identity.
Critical Race Theory differs in saying that it’s not about owners versus workers — it’s about race.
Karl Marx taught in his Communist Manifesto that the history of all society is class struggles. He emphasized his distaste towards capitalism for setting up a conflict between the classes of the owners (the bourgeoisie) and the working class (the proletariat). Critical Race Theory differs in saying that it’s not about owners versus workers — it’s about race. If you are part of an oppressor group based on your race, you are always oppressing the oppressed group, whether you know it or not.
A Moral Component
There’s a moral component here. Oppressed group members have a level of moral knowledge and authority that the oppressor group can never attain. Ibram Kendi in his book, How to Be an Anti-Racist says, “The claim of ‘not racist’ neutrality is a mask for racism … The language of colorblindness — like the language of ‘not racist’ is a mask to hide racism.” (p. 9-10)
The academic textbook, Is Everyone Really Equal? by DiAngelo and Sensoy includes a chart showing that the dominant group, which is white, oppresses the minority group, people of color, through racism.
Also presented in the table (and part of Critical Theory, though not Critical Race Theory): The dominant oppressor group, men, oppresses the targeted group, women, through sexism. The oppressor group heterosexuals oppresses gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and two-spirit people. And the oppressor group, Christians, oppresses Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus and non-Christians. Curiously, these authors fail to mention that Christians in nations like Nigeria, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Iraq, China and Europe are the most targeted and persecuted persons in the world.
Critical Theory extends even further. Suppose a person is in one oppressed group like race (black) but also in one of the oppressor groups like gender (male). This is where the term Intersectionality comes into play. According to Intersectionality, black lesbians will have a more profound moral perspective and authority than those who have only one of those characteristics.
However, according to Critical Theory, a straight white man can gain back some of his moral authenticity by submitting to the oppressed group and affirming the dogma of the oppressed. This is called being Woke. Webster’s defines Woke as “aware or actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”
Robin DiAngelo, who is white, affirms that all whites are racist whether they know it or not.
Robin DiAngelo, who is white, affirms that all whites are racist whether they know it or not. The white woman in this dialogue with a black police officer is expressing the philosophy of Critical Race Theory.
DiAngelo explains that if you’re a white person, “your opinions on racism are most likely ignorant.” If white persons are called racist or are pressured to say something about race, they may experience “anger, fear and guilt and behaviors such as argumentation, silence and withdrawal from the stress-inducing situation.” (page 12) These responses demonstrate their White Fragility.
A Dangerous Idea: The Rejection of Objective Knowledge
If a white person brings up a counter-example or argument to this, Critical Theory social justice advocates will likely just ignore them. Why is this so?
The answer begins with Critical Race Theory’s view that says that belief in individual responsibility and objectivity are traits of the oppressor group, and not shared by others.
Critical Theory denies that we can have real objective knowledge. Sensoy and DiAngelo write, “An approach based in Critical Theory calls into question the idea that objectivity is desirable or even possible,” and “Who we are (knowers) is intimately connected to our group socialization (including gender, race, class and sexuality) … what you know is connected to ‘who you are’ and ‘where you stand.’” (p. 29)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle asserted that we could know things through our senses and through rational analysis. Several hundred years after Aristotle, many of the writers of the New Testament believed that people across ethnicities and even religions could know truth objectively. Paul wrote a letter to a church in Rome explaining that non-believing Gentiles had a law written on their hearts. Paul would also write things like: “This you know with certainty … ” (Ephesians 5:5). Jesus told the skeptical Pharisees and Sadducees, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky.” (Matthew 16:3)
We Don’t Invent Truth
We don’t invent truth, we observe and respond to it. This conviction has been our heritage for centuries. The knowledge of objective truth became the basis of the Scientific Revolution, medicine, the curing of disease, artistic genius and the creation of free, human cultures.
But the Critical Theory school of thought rejects objective scientific knowledge and embraces the agnosticism founded in the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant said we can’t know reality as it is in itself, but only our interpretations of our experiences, formed in our minds. This has led to postmodernism, which (among other things) teaches that you cannot know reality or true meaning in and of itself. You might have a “Womanist interpretation” or a “Black hermeneutic,” but you can’t draw any objective conclusions independent of your “identity.”
If Objective Knowledge is Impossible — How Do You Know This?
But there are problems with this. When DiAngelo says, “objective knowledge is impossible,” ask her, “How is it possible that you know this?” If critical theorists say that according to their system, true, objective knowledge is impossible, why should we listen to what they have to say? Aren’t they assuming that, by reading what they wrote, we can gain knowledge that applies to our lives? If so, doesn’t this undermine their view that we can’t have knowledge?
Another logical fallacy to listen for is the Genetic Fallacy. The Genetic Fallacy comes into play when someone says your statement (even if it is true!) is irrelevant solely based on one’s origin, gender, history or source rather than the truthfulness of the statement. Thus some proponents of Critical Race Theory will say, “White men should shut up and listen.” But if they are silent (i.e., listening), that’s also violence: White silence is violence, too.
With charity and clarity, we should remind our friends, truth claims do not have race or gender. That includes statements about ethical truths. So a person can speak truth, even if the person is of a different gender or origin.
An Irrational Teaching
Critical Theory is also irrational in teaching that “lived experience” gives the oppressed group exclusive access to truth that the so-called oppressor is bound from because of his ethnicity or gender. Granted, majority group members should listen to minority group members. Listening is prudent — it expresses love and it aids understanding. But we must be careful never to suggest that one’s race, gender or sociological identity gives them unchallengeable insight into all of reality. To affirm such is false humility.
Critical Race Theory promises liberation for the oppressed, but it falls short in explaining or solving our current human problems. In its aggressive judgments, it quickly creates new hierarchies that destroy the value of other human life. Our fundamental identity is in our humanity and our relationship with our Creator, not in secondary and less important distinctions of ethnicity or sex.
A Cycle That Can Never Satisfy
The theory’s promised liberation also follows on bad historical precedent. Too many regimes sought salvation through liberation, but at the expense of denying the life and liberty of others. Oppression is morally wrong, but so are sins of anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, revenge and pride. Seeking liberation through Critical Theory, Social Justice leads instead to more injustice. It’s a cycle that can never satisfy.
Through the person of Jesus Christ, though, there is a true solution. “But God demonstrates his love of us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) True freedom comes when we are liberated from the bondage of our own sins, by trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection for forgiveness.
Dave Sterrett founded Disruptive Truth, a non-profit organization that is training Christians in evangelism and cultural engagement. He is the author/co-author of several books, including Why Trust Jesus, We Choose Life and I Am Second. Dave works as an account executive in oncology biotechnology and is passionate about helping cancer patients.