Attacks on Diversity: Hypocrisy and Free Speech
Donald Trump's Victory Signals a Shift Beyond Conservatism, Uncovering Hypocrisy in Freedom of Speech in the USA: A Commentary by Patricia Zippel
In the US, "Cancel Culture" is often criticized by the right while conservative politicians portray themselves as defenders of free speech. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that the genuine censorship emerges from the right. Republican governors and legislators have enacted numerous laws in recent years aimed at suppressing differing views and lifestyles that don't conform to their conservative worldview. Conservatives repeatedly paint a picture of a "woke" society threatening free speech and traditional values.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, at a conference in Virginia in 2023, boldly declared, "We're combatting the Woke ideology in the legislature. We're combatting the Woke ideology in schools. We're combatting the Woke in corporations. We will never bend to the woken mob. Florida is where Wokeness will die." Despite his statements, a closer look at political changes nationwide reveals a very different picture - one in which the right has fostered the very "Cancel Culture" they repeatedly denounce.
Cancel Culture, a Defense Mechanism
Ana Brockschmidt, a conflict researcher and author, explained in an interview with Deutschlandfunk Kultur, "Cancel Culture is used as a defense mechanism, especially against racist, transphobic, or sexist remarks."
Trump himself has repeatedly employed this tactic in his speeches. His rhetoric often contains derogatory, racist, and misogynistic comments. While some women in America may not notice, Trump boasted at a rally in Greenbay, Wisconsin, that he would "protect women in our country" – whether they like it or not. This masks bigotry and misogyny under the guise of free speech.
Threatening Democratic Values
Republicans enact measures that exclude and marginalize opinions and people who do not fit their conservative mold. This undermines the core of democracy, as it erodes the foundation of an open society: acceptance of diversity. Personal freedoms are already heavily restricted: "The American right is busy on a state level already removing citizen and freedom rights that were fought for since the 50s and 60s. The Supreme Court has recently not only abolished the right to abortion but also argues that while there is a right to privacy, a private sphere, protected by the 14th Amendment, does not exist," says Brockschmidt.
Legal Exclusion
This politics infringes on individual rights and mostly affects those who do not conform to the conservative definition of the American family. DeSantis banned discussions about gender identity and sexuality that deviate from the heterosexual norm in Florida schools, books were removed from schools and libraries, and a teacher who violates the so-called "Don't say gay" law risks suspension. Claiming it aims to protect children and traditional values, this policy actually stifles perspectives that challenge the conservative worldview. It represents an attack on diversity, inclusion, and free speech in the USA.
Danger to Social Cohesion
Anyone who seeks to prevent certain groups from participating in society threatens social cohesion. In a functioning democracy, all voices must be heard, regardless of gender, sexuality, or ethnic background. Diversity and inclusion are not threats, but rather enrichments that allow society to remain fair and vibrant. The true danger to free speech comes from those who refuse to accept it.
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Patricia Zippel
With a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management, her wanderlust is never-ending: Patricia Zippel, born in 1997, has already journeyed to all continents except Australia. She has been living in Hamburg since 2020. For the Netzpiloten Magazin, she produced a podcast in Hamburg on topics like digital art or sustainable smartphones. After that, she completed a journalism internship at the magazine "Flow." She remains loyal to her hometown Gera in terms of language, collecting typical east German words with a friend in a WhatsApp group. Her plan: To smuggle these words into the FINK website, perhaps even onto our website. Nickname: zip
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- In the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, Republican leaders have enacted laws aimed at suppressing diverse opinions, which contradicts their portrayal as defenders of free speech, thus showcasing hypocrisy.
- Crimes against free speech and diversity-and-inclusion aren't just confined to the fringes, as even prominent political figures like Donald Trump exploit the tactic of cancel culture, using derogatory comments to undermine democratic values.
- Businesses, too, are not immune to this phenomenon, as illustrated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign against "Wokeness" in corporations, potentially threatening the general-news flow and health of public discourse.
- Controversial policies like DeSantis' ban on discussing gender identity and sexuality in schools reflect an underlying threat to individual rights and social cohesion, undermining the core values of a democratic society such as freedom, inclusion, and diversity.
