When they started saying "your words are *literally* violence..." that would stand to justify any action, no matter how inappropriate or illegal - in their minds. There is also the "virtue signaling" dimension that pairs with this theme. Throwing a Molotov cocktail through a storefront window is seen a sign of "virtue" - as is running up on stage to assault a comedian whose jokes they find offensive. But none of this is true in reality. It's all "stage" - fakery - agitprop - drama. With themselves at the center of the attention. It's all done to say "look at me - look at how brave I am!" Chappelle's jokes aren't "literally violence" and there's no virtue in pretending they are. Real virtue is found in *real* tolerance - the forbearance to allow others to speak their minds, no matter how much you disagree with them.
“This is absolutely intolerable. Freedom of artistic expression is a cornerstone of a liberal society. What we are witnessing is the continued drift of the Left away from liberalism and toward an authoritarian-thug model that parallels the totalitarian regimes of last century. The only difference? There, the government brooked no criticism, and gulag'ed you for transgressions (real, imagined, or fabricated). Now, it's a bunch of self-appointed crusaders who are deciding what you and I must not be allowed to hear, and who feel that violence is an acceptable means of enforcing their demands. The commonality? Violence as a response to free expression.“
When they started saying "your words are *literally* violence..." that would stand to justify any action, no matter how inappropriate or illegal - in their minds. There is also the "virtue signaling" dimension that pairs with this theme. Throwing a Molotov cocktail through a storefront window is seen a sign of "virtue" - as is running up on stage to assault a comedian whose jokes they find offensive. But none of this is true in reality. It's all "stage" - fakery - agitprop - drama. With themselves at the center of the attention. It's all done to say "look at me - look at how brave I am!" Chappelle's jokes aren't "literally violence" and there's no virtue in pretending they are. Real virtue is found in *real* tolerance - the forbearance to allow others to speak their minds, no matter how much you disagree with them.
“This is absolutely intolerable. Freedom of artistic expression is a cornerstone of a liberal society. What we are witnessing is the continued drift of the Left away from liberalism and toward an authoritarian-thug model that parallels the totalitarian regimes of last century. The only difference? There, the government brooked no criticism, and gulag'ed you for transgressions (real, imagined, or fabricated). Now, it's a bunch of self-appointed crusaders who are deciding what you and I must not be allowed to hear, and who feel that violence is an acceptable means of enforcing their demands. The commonality? Violence as a response to free expression.“
Spot on Peter. Guys like Dick Gregory and Lenny Bruce are likely rolling in their graves over this nonsense.