More and more, American college campuses are falling under the domination of social justice warrior types — students and faculty members who are so wrapped up in their self-righteous crusades for rectifying all perceived wrongs that they won’t tolerate disagreement and can’t take a joke. Well, they can no doubt take some jokes, but never one that makes fun of politically correct attitudes.
In today’s Pope Center piece, North Carolina State student (and former Pope Center intern) Clark Conner writes about this disturbing trend. Noting recent statements by Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Jay Leno, Conner writes, “It appears we can add another line item to the growing list of things too radical for college students: humor.”
Nationally famous comedians now steer clear of campus engagements because they just can’t be sure that some seemingly innocent joke will spark indignant protest from SJW students. Anything might be denounced as a microaggression or even a deliberately “insensitive” remark. Why risk it?
Conner also points out instances where faculty members have been dismissed because they offended some hyper-sensitive students. As with sexual assault charges, the procedural deck is stacked in favor of accusers and administrators grovel to appease them.
Finally, there is the absurd case in Britain of Sir Tim Hunt, a famous scientist who was tarred and feathered after a mild attempt at humor upset some feminists. But it is evident that the outrage of his remarks was manufactured. Some people are just looking for things to complain about and people to bring down without the least justification.
Zealots who believe that their efforts are essential to saving the world lead pretty humorless lives. Too bad that they wield such undue power on our campuses.