One cannot impose a dynamic, expansive, metaphysical
vision of existence on timid minds who crave the miniature,
like porcelain bibelots of frogs and sparrows.
Camille Paglia: Free Women, Free Men page 257-8 (pdf).
Politics Destroys Individuality
It's not just politics. Members of any 'group-think' organization—churches, schools, political parties—strangle one's individuality. Take religion.
Jerry Falwell started his political Moral Majority in 1979. Before this, the Evangelical church taught, 'This world isn't our home' and concentrated on their own efforts to convert people. Church members were just as likely to be Democrats and held different positions on issues. Individuality is frowned upon in those circles today.
Politics Destroys Intellectuality
'Modern' feminism is enamored with political power. It's destroyed our institutions of higher learning to accommodate a very narrow view of the world. There aren't any exciting conversations to have with Progressives. Just list causes one must believe and embrace to qualify as a Progressive. It's sad and terrifying at the same time.
Politics Destroys Creativity
The gay community was unflinching in its critique of society. No political party ever did anything for us, so we were free to be ourselves. The first gay icon, Oscar Wilde, and his television prototype, Paul Lynde, were viciously funny and insightful. But the conversation gay men have now is as dull as dirty dishwater.
Young gay men believe feminists and straight gender studies professors have their best interests at heart. WARNING: They do not care about us. They want to advance their cause with our numbers, minus our voices. They are using our community and will discard us at their leisure.
The saddest part of this for me is the destruction of the gay white male community. Once we won the marriage battle, we were thrown to the back of the bus. Today, if you bravely fight and win, you lose. White gay men - who carried the Liberal banner in unfriendly rural areas - are suddenly 'part of the patriarchy.' If you are a Progressive, you can be as racist and sexist as you wish to white males, even gay white males.
My advice, as in everything, is to read widely and think for yourself. We need more dissent and less dogma.
Camille Paglia: Free Women, Free Men page 257-8 (pdf here)
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