OPINION:
The decline of our nation began at the universities, but now it appears it could end with them, too (“Police begin clearing NYU encampment; U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests,” web, May 2).
As campuses across the nation are embroiled in bitter anti-Israel protests, conservatives have responded with revulsion at the blatant antisemitism that has characterized the movement. However, this young University of California, Berkeley, alum cannot help but feel a quiet excitement. Only now that the insanity of higher education has come to light on the national stage will the culture begin to change in our favor.
Still, I cannot help but feel bad for the students. My generation has been thoroughly lied to about everything since Day One. The Marxist narrative that the world can be nicely divided into “oppressors” and “the oppressed” has taught students to hate their country, their parents and even themselves.
Furthermore, my generation has grown up incredibly sheltered. The only realm in which youth could interact without adult supervision was online. It is no wonder they have been so easily propagandized, especially considering the left-wing bias of Silicon Valley and the Chinese Communist Party’s goal of causing domestic unrest. Students are not only unaware of their participation in foreign plots to damage our nation, but they believe they are heroic by repeating the Vietnam-era protests.
Most of the students are not actually antisemites, but cowards who were never taught how to challenge the popular narrative. As an act of mercy upon the youth, the protesters must face real-life consequences, namely expulsion. It is the only way to identify the violent radicals and give the mindless followers the opportunity to distance themselves from the antisemitic movement.
Only a strong response can act as the inflection point that reins in leftism on campuses. Nothing is more important; these people will become our doctors, lawyers and the administrative-state bureaucrats. As new coalitions form against the radicals, I cannot help but feel optimistic for the future of the culture.
ELVIS TAFOYA
Washington
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