In a previous blog, Irony and Free Speech Movements, I noted that intolerance primarily came from the political right during the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, but over the past few decades, it has been the political left that has exhibited the most aggressive forms of intolerance. Lenny Bruce, Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson and George Carlin were examples of writers and comedians who were celebrated counter-culture warriors during that period when McCarthyism and later the religious right were pushing for various forms of censorship. Musicians also got into the act, especially during the Vietnam war. Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, Country Joe McDonald, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Marvin Gay were all outspoken about the war, were suspicious of government, and were also icons of counter-culture movements. Many in my father’s generation hated those hippies in the counter-culture and saw them as commie threats. I ended Irony wondering if a new counter-culture might evolve now that the threats are more from the left.
Perhaps the new counter-culture I alluded to has begun to take shape. While there have been many bloggers and political commentators pushing back on cancel culture and the war on free speech, the pushback hadn’t really made that much of a splash. Even when comedians like Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais have taken the mantle, they’ve received a lot of criticism from their peers. However, two recent events seem to have galvanized the opposition even further.
First, country music star Jason Aldean released his new single, Try That In a Small Town. The accompanying video showed scenes of violence and looting, many from BLM and Antifa riots and protests in recent years. As a result, the activist left branded the song racist, as expected. That’s the 21st century version of calling someone a Communist in the 1950s. Shortly after Aldean’s song hit the airwaves, Rich Men North of Richmond was released by Oliver Anthony. It became an instant hit as its criticisms of Washington politicians resonated with both the political right and working class people who tend to vote Democrat.
It’s nice to see people pushing back against the orthodoxy. Up till now, most have been intimidated by the practitioners of Intersectionality for fear of being labeled an “ist” (racist, fascist, supremacist, etc.) and being cancelled. Perhaps it’ll stimulate further resistance.