McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term refers to U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-Wisconsin) and has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting from the late 1940s through the 1950s. It was characterized by heightened political repression and a campaign of spreading fear of communist influence on American institutions and of espionage by Soviet agents.
The term has since taken on a broader meaning. In the early 21st century, the term is used more generally to describe reckless, unsubstantiated accusations, and demagogic attacks on the character or patriotism of those who have different political views. In 2020 it can readily be applied to the tactics of the left in its use of “Cancel Culture.”
Today the vitriol, fear-mongering and knee-jerk intolerance associated with McCarthy’s tactics are present in most attacks against those who would consider themselves to be conservative. However, it is not only the conservatives who are targets. More recently, people in prominent positions who are clearly left of center but who do not display enough “wokeness” are becoming targets of the mob’s rage.
Gary Garrels is one such recent victim. Garrels is a senior art curator at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Garrels ended a presentation about new acquisitions by People-of-Color artists by indicating that the museum would still continue to collect pieces from white artists. This led to a free-for-all attack on social media demanding his resignation due to his “white supremacist beliefs.”
Right than fight the attack, Garrels apologized and resigned. It is doubtful that this will satisfy the terrorists on the left. Garrels will probably be pursued for some time. By the time these people are done, the only place he may be able to get a job will be with the KKK.
This is just one of many examples of the lunacy infecting the country. BLM is at the forefront of such activities. It does not matter what the issue is. If BLM sees an opportunity to flex their political muscle, they will use it. Just as narratives were invented by Democratic operatives to oust PDJT from office, stories are made up against individuals and corporations to harm them. BLM is terrorizing the good people of the country into kowtowing to their demands.
BLM has created a climate of intolerance. They want to censor what Americans see and read. They are attempting to ban books and movies because some people might be offended by the language and words used. To Kill A Mockingbird and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are two such examples. All of this is akin to the book burnings that took place in Nazi Germany some 80+ years ago.
This is another step in silencing dissenting views. Instead of allowing for a robust and rational debate about the merits of different books and movies, all debate is silenced in favor of one specific view of society. This is fascism writ large.
Perhaps the words of Edward R Murrow are appropriate here.
“If we confuse dissent with disloyalty—if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox—if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
Are we going to cave to these terrorists? Or will we fight to take back the greatest country the world has ever seen?