We’re living in an era of contradictions. And a son of one of the world’s most famous liberals has noticed.
If you feel abused, try being a word in the 21st century. Those once-revered combinations of letters must all be quaking in their boots — over the last few years, we’ve seen terms have their meanings confiscated and reassigned.
A few examples: tolerance (now means: permissiveness only for one’s own beliefs), diversity (now means: any singularity that isn’t the most common), dignity (now means: agreement), and — lately — racism (now means: inherently systemic oppression of only those who aren’t white by only those who are).
Another word to take the hit: fascism (it now means the opposite; therefore, “anti-fascism” has become a double negative).
At least, all of that is the best I can tell.
With regard to those last two, Sean Lennon — progeny of singer John Lennon and artist Yoko Ono — has sounded off.
On Friday, here’s what he had to say:
“I’m unsure how this ‘fight racism with racism’ and ‘fight fascism with fascism’ strategy is supposed to succeed in anything but destruction and chaos. But maybe I’m just a Luddite.”
I’m unsure how this ‘fight racism with racism’ and ‘fight fascism with fascism’ strategy is supposed to succeed in anything but destruction and chaos. But maybe I’m just a Luddite.
— Sean Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) August 7, 2020
And in case you were wondering:
Luddite : one of a group of early 19th century English workmen destroying laborsaving machinery as a protest
broadly : one who is opposed to especially technological change
Speaking of words, it’s not often you hear “Lennon” associated with something opposing forces on the Left. As you’ll recall, earlier in the year, several entertainers decided they could soothe the planet by singing one of John’s songs to it.
For reasons which may or may not ever be revealed, a group evidently figured the best way to comfort those whose loved ones were dying was to convince them “there’s no heaven.”
The ditty encouraged people to imagine many of the things which give life meaning aren’t real. Perhaps that was the idea: If nothing matters, impending death ain’t so bad.
Sadly, if comments online were any indication, the effort failed.
🙁
Sean’s post — which might seem on the side of conservatism — is notable; but it’s not his first offense.
As covered by RedState’s Brandon Morse, in June of last year, Sean burned the Twitterverse with the following:
“When I was young the most interesting people were left wing intellectuals. Believe it or not.”
When I was young the most interesting people were left wing intellectuals. Believe it or not.
— Sean Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) June 21, 2019
One user countered, “We still are the most interesting.”
The musician had a different take:
“No we’ve become the church lady as person below says. It’s embarrassing. We’re offended by comedy and science. It’s pathetic.”
No we’ve become the church lady as person below says. It’s embarrassing. We’re offended by comedy and science. It’s pathetic.
— Sean Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) June 21, 2019
It’s an interesting point.
I sometimes think about John Lennon: The great artist was tragically lost at a time when he was viewed as quite the liberal icon. Therefore, that image has been frozen in time.
But he wasn’t such a left-wing radical by today’s standards: The man quit music for half a decade to stay home and raise his son. Had he grown old, who knows how he might’ve changed? For all we know, he may have become a Republican congressman. After all, it happened to this guy:
Notably, the Lennon family’s not been seen out looting, vandalizing, committing arson, or spitting on people to save the masses.
Maybe Sean’s been home reading — the dictionary.
As for fascism, he’s right: If you want to see its definition, turn on the television and watch people screaming anarchy and violently commandeering public property.
We need order. Only love can fight hate. And only virtue can fight injustice (which absolutely exists, and needs to be fought).
We need peace — something of which John Lennon was clearly a fan.
Will we ever see it again?
It’s not looking good.
For now, maybe…Imagine.
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
Our Doggone Snitching Society Gives Rise to Pepper-Spray Karen
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