I Am Radically Repeating What I Was Told (2)

Cornell University’s “protest community” of around 50 or so leftist students decided to celebrate May Day by disrupting a farewell party and sitting in a road and blocking traffic for over half an hour, while sharing their wisdom with the world. Or rather, sharing it with those on whom they could impose their screeching. Among their collective insights, the following: “Destroy masculinity. Fight the straightness… It is not okay to identify as straight.” Apparently, “masculinity and straightness… exist exclusively to marginalise and profit off of other people.” The declarations of profundity are varied and confusing, and get particularly, um, emotional around 2:42.

Previously. 

Comments

[John D]

Who told these wankers they were fit for university?

Funny how they aren't ashamed of their own middle-class lefty 'privilege' and don't give their places to some poor kids with actual brains.

[David]

Funny how they aren’t ashamed of their own middle-class lefty ‘privilege’ and don’t give their places to some poor kids with actual brains.

Ah, but they’re using their position as “agents of change” and “thought leaders” to enlighten the rest of us, to free us from our false consciousness. Yes, they’re doing all this for us, you see. Bravely, heroically, altruistically.

What?

[sk60]

It's the 21st century and they're still waving posters of Che fucking Guevara.

[David]

It’s the 21st century and they’re still waving posters of Che fucking Guevara.

Yes, it’s so quaint, like a time capsule of pretension, narcissism and cultivated ignorance. But what else would they spend $50,000 a year on?

[David]

In other, entirely unrelated news:

A new study finds that millennials… are less prepared for today’s job market than many of their international peers… Among the 22 participating countries, U.S millennials 18 to 34 years old ranked 21st in numeracy — only Spanish millennials had lower scores. In literacy, half scored below the minimum proficiency level, ahead of only Spain and Italy. For problem solving in technology-rich environments, 56 percent of American millennials met the minimum standards, behind every other nation... One of the central paradoxes of the study is that the millennial generation is our most educated, and the study’s authors make the case that many post-secondary institutions are not adequately providing students with the skills necessary to be successful in the job market.

But hey, we must “destroy masculinity” because “it is not okay to identify as straight.”

[WTP]

I know this is a silly question but why aren't Che Guevera flags along with demonstrations expressing solidarity with an ideology that is responsible for killing around 100 million people "triggering"? Why aren't these douchebags held to the same standard as the 70 year old lady in a flower shop in Washington?

[oldwhiteguy]

what a bunch of whack jobs.

[clive]

The one in the Noam Chomsky mask is committed.
Oh, it's not a mask you say?

[CraigAustin]

Adult aged children, who else needs "gender awareness " after kindergarten? Free speech is the stuff you agree with and everything else is hate speech, these kids are so typical, they think they have rights, and that those rights come without obligations. If you are not even aware of the obligation, you can't possibly have the right.

[Joan]

“Destroy masculinity. Fight the straightness… It is not okay to identify as straight.”

But it's totally okay to identify with a communist basketcase who shot children for fun.

[virgil xenophon]

RE: the left's justification of their actions because they have "decent impulses" (from your 2011 link commentary) I am reminded of an on-camera interview lefty trustafarian actress Julia Louis-Dryfus once gave in which she declared: "I could never date a Republican; I'm too morally centered."

Gag..

[David]

But it’s totally okay to identify with a communist basketcase who shot children for fun.

But it doesn’t count as righteous unless you’re seen as daring and transgressive, if only by other idiots. Say, by thinking it’s cool to celebrate a homicidal narcissist, Castro’s chief executioner, a man who described the murder and mutilation of innocent people as “a lot of fun” and a way to “break the monotony.” Ideally, righteousness should also involve being a gratuitous annoyance to other, random people, as many of them as possible, thereby drawing attention to your immensely radical self. For example, by disrupting someone’s party or blocking traffic at an intersection, thereby making lots of people late for work, for appointments, for deliveries, etc. Those unimportant non-radical things, like earning a living.

Imposing on others in pursuit of self-flattery, it’s the egalitarian way.

[Spiny Norman]

Some people deserve their crushing student loan debt.

[David]

Some people deserve their crushing student loan debt.

I suspect that if some of the fearless radicals above have difficulty finding employment, they’ll choose to blame capitalism, or “neoliberalism,” or the Patriarchy, rather than rethinking their own conceits.

See also this.

[marc in calgary]

I identify as, normal.

[JerryC]

Che was not a big fan of the homosexuals, for what that's worth.

[Nikw211]

The declarations of profundity are varied and confusing, and get particularly, um, emotional around 2:42.

I was watching the video thinking, 'Gee, that reached 2:42 quickly' - but then discovered I was only about a minute in.

Then I got to 2:42 and it was indeed really emotional - so much so that it reminded of yet another display of tragi-comically bad childish hysteria that you alerted us to some time ago.

[Ray]

I enjoyed the first girl? boy? listlessly reciting the growing list of grievances and their associated glib catchphrases. On "occupied land", no less.

[Hal]

. . . One of the central paradoxes of the study is that the millennial generation is our most educated, . . .

Errr, no, the current flood of diploma mills and the wallpaper that gets presented by them remains the blatant opposite of being educated.

And that is the issue, or a rather major part . . . .

[WTP]

Yeah. Like the recognized-as-such diploma mills are much different than the Humanities and such departments of our "best" schools like Duke, Oberlin, Berkley, etc., etc., etc., or as demonstrated here, Cornell.

[Dom]

That 2:42 kid, I wonder if college made him like that. I wonder if he got an A+ as long as he acted like a demented child complaining about his own race.

[David]

That 2:42 kid, I wonder if college made him like that.

The age-old question: Which came first, the obnoxious politics or the obnoxious personality?

[rabbit]

Ideological certainty without benefit of knowledge, experience, humility, or skepticism.

No wonder totalitarian movements like to target youth. They are such plum pickings.

[Theophrastus]

"I suspect that if some of the fearless radicals above have difficulty finding employment, they’ll choose to blame capitalism, or “neoliberalism,” or the Patriarchy, rather than rethinking their own conceits."

You are right, David. Others, though, will sober up, take a professional qualification after university and become pillars of their local suburban community. And those who find accountancy too exciting can become actuaries.

[David]

They are such plum pickings.

My impression is that certain types of politics tend to attract certain types of personalities. For instance, Marxism and its variants offer endless excuses for an urge to coerce others, to demonise and punish those regarded as more successful, or happier, or just more attractive. It’s licensed obnoxiousness. And some people want a rationale, a fig leaf, for their vanities and spiteful dispositions. Which may explain why the “social justice” racket attracts so many vividly unpleasant people.

[Darleen]

We are all oppressed by Capitalism

Odds are this unwoman student of pallor has an iPhone, iPad, Mac and eats at privately-owned restaurants.

Wonder is his/her/whatever's parent of undetermined gender has seen this?

[dw]

@Darleen

"Despite the ubiquitous anti-capitalist rhetoric, many students were observed using smart phones and laptops during the intersection occupation phase of the protest."

http://blog.thecornellreview.com/2015/05/01/mayday-mayday-student-protesters-take-stage-at-cornell-presidents-farewell-party-jazz-band-plays-on/

[Michael Anderson]

Oh, America...you are in such deep, deep shit. You had it right at Kent State, but you let the journalists beat on you until you capitulated.

New idea: ignore journalists and suspended-adolescent strident punks of all ages, and TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY. Better still, arrange for one-way travel for these LOSERS to the country of their choice, provided it's either Iran or North Korea. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

[David]

Despite the ubiquitous anti-capitalist rhetoric, many students were observed using smart phones and laptops

Reminds me of this.

[rabbit]

My impression is that certain types of politics tend to attract certain types of personalities.

Sure, but one's personality changes as one gets older. My younger self was more vulnerable than my older self. Trying to radicalize adults is akin to herding cats. They have a lot of knowledge and experience they can fall back on, and less of a need to go with the crowd.

Thus I expect many of these kids will grow out of it and (who knows?) maybe even be wiser for it. And those who persist will be those whose personalities are truly aligned with their politics.

[rabbit]

One must be a victim. Doesn't really matter what type. Otherwise one is a (spit!) oppressor.

These guys are handicapped by being white and male so they improvise and declare themselves victims of heteronormative capitalism. Any port in a storm.

[Geriatric Mayfly]

A mob of screeching cockatoos flew over while I was watching the clip, sadly drowning out the emotional climax. I did not rewind and remain grateful to the noisy critters for their timely intervention.

[dicentra]

For example, by disrupting someone’s party or blocking traffic at an intersection, thereby making lots of people late for work, for appointments, for deliveries, etc. Those unimportant non-radical things, like earning a living.

The road they blocked is a primary thoroughfare through the Cornell campus itself (Campus Road and East Ave, by the Samuel Curtis Johnson building) but Joe Ithaca doesn't use that road to go about his business.

Only people who drive through campus were disrupted, if at all (there are other routes to take). You will note, though, that they're blocking a 3-way intersection. There are much more complicated intersections in Ithaca -- and therefore much more metaphorically appropriate.

But no, they hadn't the courage to do something truly disruptive.

I am disappoint.

I also know that the non-Cornell-affiliated Ithacans would probably run them over. :-)

[Lylebert]

Extra irony points for these pampered, useless weenies staging their hissy fit on May Day. No wonder they are such big supporters of socialism; without real workers, and lots of them, paying the freight with all their hard earned taxes, these pathetic losers would starve. Guaranteed not one of these parasites has any intention of contributing anything to their Brave New World except another mouth to feed.

[WTP]

Thus I expect many of these kids will grow out of it and (who knows?) maybe even be wiser for it. And those who persist will be those whose personalities are truly aligned with their politics.

Rabbit, I think you're whistling past the graveyard on that one, but yes on your second post.

As for Michael Anderson, while your more general point may be correct, you may not be familiar with the specifics of the Kent Stare fiasco itself. It was a serious f'up from the National Guard's perspective as they seemed to march themselves into their own vulnerable position, and two of the students killed were not even protesters. One of whom was actually in ROTC. The whole situation in the preceding days was considerably out of control and thus an overreaction is to some degree understandable. But it seems the Guard was very poorly prepared for a situation which, while as fluid and thus difficult to prepare for as these things are, was stil within the expectations of a professional militia being able to properly address.

And that given, while it shouldn't be construed as an excuse for all that followed, was a significant propaganda "victory" for the left on college campuses through at least the 1980s

[R. Sherman]

I wonder what the kid denouncing the police would do if someone were to attempt to relieve him of his wallet or beat the shit out of him for being an idiot?

[Jimmy]

My guess is that the creature with yellow hair is full of penis envy.

[The Phantom]

When I was at university in the 1970s we used to throw stuff at these assholes. Now they run the place.

[oralJex]

Apparently making a stand takes quite a large amount of sitting. Who knew?

[mojo]

Who's the geezer? Some professor?

The whole bunch needs a good spanking.

[Steve 2 - Stevement Day]

It's a fascinating video, David.

My favourites were the yellow haired lass who wanted to "destroy masculinity" and the angry chap whose voice was about to break.

"Destroy masculinity" just means "screw you, Dad!"

It's a phase a lot of girls go through when Daddy didn't buy them a pony or whatever.

It doesn't really mean anything. It's like when kids say "I hate you!", or "I want chocolate for dinner!", or "stop choking me!"

Good Dadmanship involves never taking these princess tantrums too seriously. She'll soon tire herself out stomping her little foot.

Now, the boy is a different matter. Boys have lots of natural aggression and poor risk perception. Which is why I have fashioned a hollow tree stump into a terrifying test of manhood, inspired by the film Flash Gordon.

I don't know where I'd get any deadly green scorpion things, and the wife wouldn't approve anyway, but my cat, Princess Fluffybottom, has razor sharp fangs and she loves fingers.

If only that boy had a father who loved him enough to subject him to a deadly game of cat and mouse, he wouldn't be squealing at strangers and effing the police.

He'd either be taking his girlfriend to the pictures like a normal young man, or getting his fingers sutured at the hospital.

[JuliaM]

I remember when 'the lunatics have taken over the asylum' was hyperbole...

[Ray]

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know... rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat
...you just got one.

Now the rest of you fuck off.

[Tim Newman]

Reminds me of this.

Absolutely beyond satire. The lack of self-awareness is mind-boggling.

[El Duderino]

I identify as, normal.
BIGOT!

[rabbit]

Rabbit, I think you're whistling past the graveyard on that one, but yes on your second post.

I've got a high school reunion this summer, and most of my fellow students grew up to be responsible, hardworking, tolerably honest citizens. It's not what I would have guessed in Grade 12, where we spent more time trying to get booze and pot than we did studying.

So yeah, it's not implausible that some of these kids will wake up one morning and say "You know, socialism really is a load of crap."

[Justthinkin]

Bottled water and a smoke? With a commie blankie? Did anybody slap this kid upside the head with a clue bat? I hope so. It's parents must so proud. Or are university professors. Cornell? or Cornhole?

[wtp]

So yeah, it's not implausible that some of these kids will wake up one morning and say "You know, socialism really is a load of crap."

Oh, I know where you're coming from. But those 12th graders you and I grew up with had a higher percentage of well grounded parents, possibly depression-era or WWII-era, who worked hard to ingrain the proper values into our generation such that as we got older some of us realized what crap we'd been fed and sobered up. But we're a couple generations watered down now. Many of my classmates still have not made peace with their fathers/parents or their parents' values and are raising a generation based on much nonsense. Those who were lucky enough to have their parents, or fathers at least, stick around.

I hope you are right, but that's not what I'm seeing around me.

[Jonathan]

Is fucking the police part of destroying masculinity or something to do with indigenous people? What about indigenous masculinity? I'm confused. Also, their sporadic clapping was triggering - I thought we'd agreed on Jazz Hands.

[abacab]

In what way is the image of a mass-murdering racist who sent Gentlemen's Gentlemen to work camps not "triggering"?

If you don't have the faintest idea what the man stood for...

[Ted S., Catskill Mtns., NY, USA]

R Sherman:

I wonder what the kid denouncing the police would do if someone were to attempt to relieve him of his wallet or beat the shit out of him for being an idiot?

The kid would probably find that many police care more about easy-picking crimes that allow for asset forfeiture, and not tough stuff like robbery.

[Connor]

Ivy League students say they're "oppressed by capitalism".

Did everyone just jump through the looking glass?

[Bunk Strutts]

"Hey, Hey;
Ho, Ho;
That commie chant
Has got to go."

"1-2-3-4
We don't make no sense no more;
5-6-7-8
Our job is to masturbate."

[Bunk Strutts]

I saw this same garbage in the late '70s. The people who participated on campus were idiots, but they were loud idiots.

[Hal]

"Hey, Hey;
Ho, Ho;

Have some ritual contributions from the One Pretty True Church of the world's oldest and largest religion, all join in now;

---Wave a fist somewhere over your head, repeat loudly, until bored: Wave your fist in the air!

---Repeat loudly, until bored: No More Chanting!

[L]

After watching that, I'm starting to seriously wonder if there hasn't been FAR TOO MUCH inbreeding among the Upper Middle Class for their own good. Their offspring are starting to show signs of profound mental retardation as well as emotional handicapping. Something should be done to prevent more damage. Like forced sterility. Or banning marriage between two individuals who attended Ivy League Schools. Or maybe forced gay marriage. Something. Anything. This could get bad.

[Joe]

"Intersectionality" is a sort of Animal Farm going-on wherein an elite attempts to form itself from the wet clay of the merely oppressed or cranky.

It is sort of attempt at making an oppression-Bundesliga out of the common, Saturday afternoon kicking-around of the unwashed-unwashed.