Posted on 04/12/2015 5:03:53 AM PDT by Altura Ct.
You’re just not as tuned in to the “frightening realities” of the world as this kid is. A Brown University senior wants everyone to know that he’s not weak for wanting “safe spaces” where he won’t feel offended or uncomfortable — it’s just that he’s smarter and more culturally aware than you are so you wouldn’t understand.
In response to an article that a classmate wrote that criticized “safe spaces,” Joseph DiZoglio writes: “The current rally that generational pundits make against me and my peers in college today is that we have forsaken freedom of speech and multiple viewpoints for ‘comfort.’” “I’m afraid that it is a product of jargon that is too easily mistranslated by opinion columnists hoping to pass a deadline,” he continues in the letter, a portion of which has since been published in the Wall Street Journal. “If delved with any honest intent into the vast discourse of social justice, they would see how far from the mark they really are.”
Now, you might think that a kid who criticizes columnists for using “jargon” right after using a phrase like “generational pundits” won’t be capable of teaching you anything worthwhile. But DiZoglio assures you that any disagreement that you have with him is just due to your ignorance: “When I say your argument makes me uncomfortable, it is because I am greatly concerned that you have not done the requisite thought and research into generating an inclusive thesis that considers as many nuances as necessary to deliver a sound debate,” DiZoglio writes. “If you do not believe that skin color, age, religious identity, sexuality, class or (dis)ability have an effect in cultural political or economic problems that we debate at universities, then it is you who is trying to remain comfortable despite such frightening realities.”
Got it, people? You’re just not as smart and enlightened as Mr. DiZoglio is. And if you think that college kids demanding “safe spaces” are wimps who could never make it in the real world, that’s because you just don’t understand the actual real world. If only you knew as much about the “frightening realities” of the world as this bright young Ivy Leaguer. How kind of him to be “greatly concerned” for big dummies like me! Despite having pumped his letter full of words he learned on thesaurus.com, it’s clear that DiZoglio has no idea what he’s talking about. There is only one thing that he gets half right: He finishes the letter by asserting that “being uncomfortable is the strongest form of rhetoric that our millennial generation wields in the struggle against all forms of oppression.” Just replace the word “oppression” with “discussion,” and he’s right on the money. (By the way, that wouldn’t even be a huge leap considering the fact that college students have referred to common expressions like “you guys” as “oppressive.”)
These days, whining and playing the victim puts you in a greater position of strength. It’s a way to gain influence, respect, and power without having to actually know anything. After all, if someone dares to question a “cultural sensitivity” or “pro-diversity” activist, he’s labeled a racist bigot, an evil old white guy who spits on the poor, or — if he dares to challenge a feminist — a rape apologist. Knowing that anyone who tries to argue with them will be attacked is also how these people are able to casually spread false narratives (like we see with much of the campus-rape discussion) without having to actually prove anything. DiZoglio understands all of this.
You may be tempted to think that none of this matters because he’s just some college kid; but before you say “Haha, wow, just wait till this kid gets to the real world,” ask yourself: What will happen when kids like him are the real world?
If you can maintain your sense of humor you can actually enjoy it. You also have to sell something you like.
Later read and amusement
I find it ironic that a college student who claims the mantle of being more highly enlightened or evolved (or whatever) doesn’t understand the world well enough to discern that any “safe space” created and maintained by others is inherently unsafe.
Alas, his idea won’t work, because people like me are offended by his very existence as a pampered, infantilized ivy league blowhard.
Fortunately, this guy and his ilk will never come to rule the world. They don’t have the ability to fight and scratch for what they want and need. They can only wheedle and whine - and blame others.
Oh - and he has not forsaken freedom of speech. But he does reserve it only to himself.
You have to understand that there are 2 full generations of these now brainwashed Americans. If you are under 30, you have been brainwashed into PC by every school you have ever attended.
Indeed we are left with nothing to help us but the good Lord.
That’s step two. Get the money first!.........
they’re so cute when they’re freshly indoctrinated.
...but before you say “Haha, wow, just wait till this kid gets to the real world,” ask yourself: What will happen when kids like him are the real world?
Hey, it's all good, and after ten or so years as a fry cook, maybe he can work his way up manager.
Sorry, kid, but your demand that the outcome of thought and research be an "inclusive thesis" is an idiotic attempt to establish rules for which there is no justification. Putting your special brand of limitation on the outcome of thought simply means you have presupposed what the answer is.
I'm not sure if the student is smart enough to see what he's really trying to do - I suspect that he is so emotionally fragile (and intellectually inept) that he cannot help but try and frame the debate in such a debilitating manner. (And to do so openly, without enough subterfuge to allow a casual read to omit the danger signals.)
B-b-b-but...
You came to a different conclusion than he did!
How is it you (and I) just can’t understand how brilliant his sophistry is?
LOL
We’re going to need more rubber rooms.
Given that the student’s screed is an ad hominem, and that the response article posted here is a humorous ad hominem, I have to wonder what the WSJ thought would happen...
+ 
+ 
= 
When you say brain washed. Do you mean someone might have given him a high enema?
Sounds like a PC wuss.
Mr. DiZoglio should grow up. There is no "Select Comfort Society" in the real world. You can't take your half of the road out of the middle. Society defined your half for the benefit of all. "Nuancing" doesn't work at rush hour.
What will happen when kids like him are the real world?
When he and his hubris finally run out of college courses to take and has to go out into the world - the world will eat him up, spit out the pieces and move on.
+ 
+ 
= 
What will happen when kids like him are the real world?
...............................
The left is trying to remake the real world so that logical thinking is no longer allowed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.