The racial Jacobins haven't eased up in their post-George Floyd ferocity; if anything they are growing more indiscriminate in their determination to enforce political conformity and to punish anything they regard as thoughtcrime. Their targets haven't been limited to statues of American heroes, editors of prominent newspapers, or professors at leading universities. The toll of those who have been defamed, fired, or otherwise "cancelled" now includes an alarming number of people who have no power or public platform, who are not celebrities, and who in many cases did nothing wrong.
Take the case, for example, of Emmanuel Cafferty, a Hispanic employee of San Diego Gas and Electric, who was fired for making a "white supremacist" gesture while driving his company-issued truck. Except that he wasn't making any gesture at all, and didn't even know that such a symbol existed.
Here's the story, as reported by San Diego's NBC affiliate:
It all started about two weeks ago near a Black Lives Matter rally in Poway when Emmanuel Cafferty, a San Diego Gas and Electric employee, encountered a stranger on the roadway. The stranger followed Cafferty and took a picture of him as his arm hung out the window of his company truck.
The picture made the rounds on Twitter, accompanied by a claim Cafferty was making a "white power" hand gesture made popular by white supremacist groups.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, the gesture – made by forming a circle with the thumb and index finger, and extending and separating the other three fingers – has been used in recent years by white supremacists to form the letters W and P, but has also long been used as a sign signifying "OK" . . . . Therefore it shouldn't be assumed to be a white supremacy symbol unless there is other evidence to support those claims, according to the ADL. Cafferty claims he was just cracking his knuckles.
Soon after the encounter, a supervisor of Cafferty's told him he was suspended and that further action may be taken after an investigation. A few days later, he says he was fired.
Cafferty was astonished when his employer told him what he had been accused and found guilty of. Not only had he been denounced and fired for a supposedly racist act, his judge, jury, and executioner were all white, and he isn't. Yascha Mounk dug further into the case for The Atlantic:
[Cafferty] said he explained to the people carrying out the investigation . . . that he had no earthly idea some racists had tried to appropriate the "okay" sign for their sinister purposes. He told them he simply wasn't interested in politics; as far as he remembered, he had not voted in a single election. Eventually, he told me, "I got so desperate, I was showing them the color of my skin. I was saying, 'Look at me. Look at the color of my skin.'"
It was all to no avail. SDG&E, Cafferty told me, never presented him with any evidence that he held racist beliefs or knew about the meaning of his gesture. Yet he was terminated.
Meanwhile, the guy who took the picture of Cafferty's fingers deleted his tweet, admitted that he may have "misinterpreted" what he saw, and said he never intended for Cafferty to lose his job. But these days, the merest suggestion that someone is a bigot, or insufficiently antiracist, can trigger the instantaneous destruction of his or her reputation, career, and income.
Mounk describes the fate of a liberal statistician working for a left-wing firm:
David Shor, for example, was until recently a data analyst at a progressive consulting firm, Civis Analytics. . . . Shor's job was to think about how Democrats can win elections. When Omar Wasow, a professor at Princeton, published a paper in the country's most prestigious political-science journal arguing that nonviolent civil-rights protests had, in the 1960s, been more politically effective than violent ones, Shor tweeted a simple summary of it to his followers.
That was all it took to wipe out Shor's job, writes Mounk. Various agitators on Twitter demanded that he be terminated. He had done nothing more than flag a piece of research raising questions about the effectiveness of violent protests. Yet within a week of posting an accurate tweet about the findings of Wasow – a black PhD in African-American studies – Civis Analytics fired Shor. Even Wasow's wife was appalled by the crazed attack on a fellow progressive who had done nothing to deserve such a fate.
Then there is the attack on a middle-aged woman named Sue Schafer who attended a Halloween party in 2018, wearing blackface and a tag reading "Hello, My Name is Megyn Kelly." It was a mocking reference to the former TV host, who ran into a buzzsaw after she suggested that wearing blackface wasn't always racist or in bad taste. Two young women at the party approached Schafer – who was not famous, not running for office, not influential – and berated her for her costume. She left the party in tears. Which would have been the end of it, except that The Washington Post, for no discernible reason, ran a 3,000-word article about the incident this month – a story, wholly devoid of news value, about a clueless woman at a party two years ago. As soon as the story appeared, Schafer was fired by her employer.
Even children are being targeted as racist, with the encouragement of adults who explicitly call for the destruction of the kids' future prospects.
Skai Jackson, a former Disney Channel star, urged her young social media followers to expose their classmates or peers for posting racist comments or videos. "If you know a racist, don't be shy! Tweet me the receipts," Skai tweeted on June 4. On Instagram, she posted a similar threat, saying she would spotlight "Caucasian teens" who say or write something inappropriate: "Let me say this: If I see you post it, I WILL expose you!! If you think you're big and bad enough to say it, I will most definitely put your own words on blast!!"
What followed, predictably enough, was a flood of submissions from informers eager to publicly accuse young people of racism, sometimes expressed in online remarks years ago. Jackson readily publicized the accusations, making sure to include the targets' full names and social-media handles. And for going out of her way to ruin the reputation of people for being young and foolish, she was extolled as a heroine. Entertainment Tonight hosts applauded Jackson's "bold move" in ensuring that "justice can be served." Essence magazine commended her for "using this time to reverse the blatant racism she's seen on social media."
"I am so proud of you, @skaijackson," tweeted actress Yvette Nicole Brown. "The good work you're doing exposing all these 'baby' racists will ensure that their names, faces & deeds will be known as they enter the work force down the line. Which will protect everyone from the havoc racists cause in the workplace."
This is chilling and dystopian, the perversion of a legitimate goal – overcoming racial bigotry – into a frenzy of character assassination and public humiliation.
Boston attorney Joseph Welch memorably confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy in June 1954: "Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
"Some of the targets of these campaigns may have spoken or acted clumsily, but apologists for cancel culture can find reasons to stigmatize or banish anyone," observed the Wall Street Journal in an editorial last week:
We doubt most Americans agree with this unforgiving and punitive approach to cultural change, but the revolutionaries are now in charge with a vengeance. They won't stop by themselves because their campaign is essentially about power and control, and they need new villains. But . . . they are also laying waste to liberal values of free speech, democratic debate, and cultural tolerance.
A backlash to the Jacobins' brutality will come sooner or later.
It was 66 years ago this month that the tide finally began to turn against Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator whose anticommunist crusade was marked by a similar willingness to blow up reputations and shred careers. The moment came during the McCarthy's televised hearings on supposed communist influence in the US Army, when he gratuitously singled out by name a young Boston lawyer, implying that he was a secret communist and a security threat to the United States.
Joseph Welch, a Boston attorney who served as chief counsel for the Army during the hearings, seized on McCarthy's smear to turn the tables:
"Until this moment, Senator, I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness," Welch said. He praised the young lawyer who had been slandered, then rebuked McCarthy with words that still resonate:
"Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
Like resistance to communism, resistance to racial bigotry is a worthy and legitimate cause. But there is nothing legitimate about demonizing the powerless and destroying lives with reckless accusations. What has been done to Cafferty and Shor and too many others is stomach-turning. Have those who target such powerless people have no sense of decency? At long last, have they left no sense of decency?
This op-ed originally appeared in “Arguable,” a weekly newsletter written by Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby.
(15) Anonymous, July 17, 2020 9:36 PM
Cancel culture may be worsening both sides
https://www.yehupetz.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=47
As said in that forum post, I believe that it is quite possible that actual hate groups such as the KKK are increasing their ranks because of cancel culture, not despite it.
(14) Jack Howard, July 6, 2020 11:31 PM
I'm not getting in my enemy's way....IF:
Obviously rational points all: intellectually right and politically wrong. The moderation and courtesy of traditionalists has been too much like the Middle: and it can't hold against the extreme left. Encourage their excess. Welcome their rampages.
Until traditionalists develop some method of engaging the young with the power of our ideas again, "courtesy" and tolerance to the extremists will not work.
Not buying their products, donating to their opponents, and working in the courts at every opportunity to destroy them. These are my enemies, and I will not stop them from exhibiting their true nature, or if they are at risk of self-destruction.
(13) neurodoc, July 4, 2020 1:48 AM
"Their targets haven't been limited to statues of American heroes..." Right, their targets haven't been limited in that way. The principle targets for taking down statutes and changing the names of military bases have NOT been American heroes. (Jacoby doesn't want to see traitors like Robert E. Lee and a bunch of Confederate generals continue to be celebrated, does he?)
Now, how about some attention to the most consequential "culture culture" person among us today? That of course would be Donald J. Trump, who hopefully will be out of office no later than 1/20/21. Unfortunately, more than 250K Americans will likely be dead by then on account of the covid-19 plague which Trump has done so little combat, leaving us the most affected country in the world!
neurodoc, July 4, 2020 3:27 AM
the most consequential "cancel culture" person - DONALD J. TRUMP.
He has been obsessed with wiping away every legislative and other accomplishment of his predecessor Barack Obama. That is but another indication of Trump's monumental inadequacies as a person and president, and far more consequential than what Jacoby cites as instances of "cancel culture."
larry, July 13, 2020 4:31 AM
Go Trump
the most consequential enemy in the united states, "The Media" and the left wing of the Red states.
(12) Reb Mordechai, July 3, 2020 8:53 AM
Fact and Opinion, Democracy and the Rule of Law
I wish to make two comments:
1. There seems to be a complete disconnect from reality in today's society, between Fact and Opinion. We are being forced by public shaming, to discuss provable facts as if they are merely opinions, and at the same time, banned on social media from discussing certain opinions, as if they were indisputable facts!
2. I have read the discussion in these comments about statues and frankly, I am very alarmed at the lack of understanding and respect for democracy.
Whether you are for the statue coming down or staying up, is irrelevant! Whether you think he was a slave owner or not, is irrelevant! We should all be united in condemning mob rule! These issues must be discussed in a democratic way and go through the normal legal process to decide. Otherwise you are no better than the KKL! You are no better than the angry mob in the Wild West who whipped and strung people up in the street.
(11) Esther Cook, July 3, 2020 12:32 AM
High Aims require Re-Analysis
This nonsense can't be fixed by direct attack on the "lunatic left." Rather, we need to recall the high aims of the 1960's US Civil rights Movement--Not by the color of one's skin, but the content of one's character." That is an enormous aim, one of the mos ambitious ever attempted. Inevitably lots of mistakes were made.
All you have to do is expect that, and care about RESULTS. No blame games--what works and what doesn't. Some things need to be discarded and new things tried. The most effective schools reveal that Blacks CAN fully equal Whites. Care enough to find out what those schools are doing right.
(10) Fredric M London, July 2, 2020 11:49 PM
McCarthyism 2020
Yes, McCarhyism is alive and well. Now it is the left-wing fascists who are guilty. And yet they are still called progressive? If there is a more retrogressive concept than what they are flinging I would like to know what it is. Censorship is NOT liberal and NOT progressive.
(9) Anonymous, July 2, 2020 11:00 PM
The World is on fire.
The World is on fire. Some people use " water " some people use " gasoline "& some people don't know (or care) about the difference.
(8) Michele Rothschild, July 2, 2020 5:25 PM
When I read about Sue Schafer being fired from her job because she had worn a blackface at a Halloween party, I immediately thought of Justin Trudeau who had worn a blackface at least three occasions. Why wasn't he fired as Prime Minister of Canada? And what about Prince Harry who wore a Nazi uniform at a party - or has everyone forgotten about that.
(7) Anonymous, July 2, 2020 4:30 PM
McCarthyism
Is it McCarthyism all over again? Scary! I have noticed that they are destructive in everything they do-burning, desecrating property and now, destroying lives. I have used the "OK" symbol since childhood. Just because they have changed its meaning doesn't mean that people are going to stop using an old and universally recognized symbol. They are making the mistake of thinking that only they are right. Keep it up and they will lose their movement and people will hate them for what they tried to do to others. Two wrongs NEVER make a right!
(6) Julianna, July 2, 2020 2:55 PM
What is it about some people that they cannot maintain a healthy mental balance on issues such as racism? Extremism is a dangerous thing in any humsn endeavour.
(5) Channa, July 2, 2020 2:35 PM
Thank you!!
Thank you for exposing the cancel culture and it's dangers to democracy. This was an excellent and well written article.
(4) Frank Adam, July 2, 2020 2:19 PM
Fill in the context: "jokes" do not always travel.
This is a narrowly US contortion of conscience. The Arabs transported 17 million black Africans to slavery in the Arab World or Mughal India besides white slaves from the Ukraine - "the harvest of the steppes."
The G. Floyd and R. King cases and no doubt others are also a function of the gun culture of the US and here we should point to both Israel and Switzerland having multitudes of military guns but not having anything like the domestic warfare of the US. Finally on this point The Economist of London printed recently (Jun '20) some bar graphs of police violence and racist attitudes in which the US was far from top of the list in either. Brazil is worse for police violence and guns and East Asians and S. Africans are worse for prejudice about colour and religion.
What is necessary is to provide extra funding so staff, for higher pupil teacher ratios for schools in poor areas and also scholarships to stay and finish High School and College or apprenticeships. This could clear the back log in a generation like the GI Act did for the non graduats of the Depression.
Anonymous, July 5, 2020 4:12 PM
Education
I agree with you completely that education is key. Apprenticeships, Trade Schools, education of all types should be available, promoted, and encouraged. Everyone can’t be a millionaire sports star or Hollywood elite, though the most admired people appear to athletes and entertainers.
When I was growing up, the most admired were firefighters, cops, and astronauts. I always expected to work for a living and did starting at 14.
I don’t understand the disapproval of guns, though. It’s a worn out phrase, but it is still true: If guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.” Plus brown shirts that will ensure our freedoms are lost forever.
(3) Schwartz, July 2, 2020 2:14 PM
You say statues of American hero’s
Check your facts Those so called American hero’s are confederate generals who were against America The fact that you call them American and hero clearly shows your perspective
eli K, July 3, 2020 12:47 AM
yes - statues of America's heroes
The protestors and rioters aren't stopping at the memorials for Confederate war heroes -- they're tearing down and mutilating statues of the Founding Fathers, like Washington and Jefferson, to name a couple. For more on that, read Jacoby's other recent article on this site: 'Will we only be remembered for what we did wrong?'
Merle, July 3, 2020 2:57 AM
"Confederate memorials" are for enemies of the United States
We should not permit statues and monuments of enemies of the United States on public spaces in the United States. No Confederate generals or leaders or soldiers should be honored in the United States, any more than we would allow monuments honoring the Axis soldiers and leaders installed in public places. Extending the demand to take down statues and monuments dedicated to others who actually contributed to the United States, even if they had serious moral failings, goes too far.
Reb Mordechai, July 3, 2020 9:09 AM
That's your personal opinion
Merle, it's your personal opinion that these statues deserve to be brought down. Others disagree. We live in a democracy and as as such this issue must be decided within the rule of law, and never by a mob!. You on the other hand, seem to condone the actions of a mob, just because this time, you happen to agree with them. What happens when next time the mob does something you disagree with? Will you only then scream your outrage at the lack of democracy? Don't ever condone mob rule!
Rachel, July 3, 2020 2:24 AM
TR & Grant weren’t Confederates
Last time I checked, Gen Grant fought for the Union. His tenacity freed millions of enslaved African Americans. TR thought that his revered father’s only flaw was that he hired a substitute to do his duty fighting for the Union. Both statues were felled by the hateful, lawless mobs.
MESA, July 8, 2020 5:16 PM
First, the mobs have even defaced a memorial to the 54th regiment which was an all-black regiment that fought in the Civil War.
Second, if any statues or memorials are to be brought down, it should be done by law and reason, not by any mob.
(2) Cynthia, July 2, 2020 1:34 PM
Of course, the post-George Floyd movement is out of control
The very fact that they were destroying the properties of innocent bystanders is out of control. The notion of eliminating funding for the police is out of control. The whole movement is a Coronva-Virus crazed attack not the establishment.
Anonymous, July 3, 2020 3:04 AM
Over-generalization!
The "they" you refer to, Cynthia, the "post-George Floyd" movement, is not a monolithic entity. The majority of demonstrators were not violent! And people concerned about police violence are not advocating eliminating funding for the police. They are advocating re-allocating a portion of funding the police to other civic organizations and activities. Your generalizations are simplistic, and you ignore specifics and nuance.
Anonymous, July 8, 2020 5:21 PM
While the "post-George Floyd movement" is not a monolithic entity, it is the extremist section of it that is screaming so loud that they drown out everyone else.
As for re-allocating funds, that can be done without taking away money that the police need. Good cops deserve to have all the funding that they need to do their jobs. It's true that there should be more social workers and others so that cops don't have to do those jobs, but if someone is breaking into your home, you need a cop. If someone is trying to grab your pocketbook, you need a cop. If someone is trying to punch you out on the sidewalk, you need a cop.
(1) Chasya Bernstein, July 1, 2020 8:39 PM
Robespierre's Reign of Terror redux
I think I will use this article - and many others like it - to show my ninth grade World History students just what the Reign of Terror was like (minus the guillotine, we hope!)
And, of course, McCarthyism - but since there was no 'social [antisocial, really] media' in the 1950's, ordinary citizens were often safer than famous people.
Great lesson in American Government - see Madison's Federalist #10 where he fears fighting factions by removing their cause - just force everyone to have the same opinions on important issues, and presto! there is "unity" in the country. Just as he feared!
So when do the children become heroes for turning in their 'racist'parents who warn them not to go to dangerous neighborhoods after dark?