According to the Daily Mail, Oxford University is telling students that it’s no longer good enough to be a nice easy-going tolerant person, who doesn’t care about a person’s ethnicity. Oh no. Students have now got to be seen to be anti-racist and are expected to be actively involved in anti-racism initiatives. The paper reports:
While not mandatory, students were told they were ‘expected to make time’ to attend the It’s About Race event. Attendees were shown a series of slides during the session last month.
Under the heading ‘Be an anti-racist’ on one slide, they were told: ‘Are you racist? “No” isn’t a good enough answer.’
The slide stated: ‘We need to… stop thinking that injustice going on in the world isn’t to an extent are [sic] fault’, adding: ‘Stop being a non-racist and start being an anti-racist.’ 
Another slide encouraged a ‘commitment to action’, asking the question: ‘What is your individual contribution/commitment/pledge to tackle inequality and racism?’
This isn’t exactly new. Black Lives Matter activists regularly chant “silence is violence” at rallies. Similar chants and slogans can be seen and heard at LGBTQ+ events. It’s gaining traction. Friends of mine have told me of bizarre conference calls, organised by their employers, where white members of staff listen to their colleagues of colour, tell them about their experiences of racism. Non-attendance is frowned upon.
An old school friend of mine, who works for an American company in Dublin said to me; “Richie if I don’t attend, I might as well put a sticker on my chest that says I am a racist.” To his credit, he didn’t attend, although his supervisor told him it was “disappointing” and “sent out the wrong message about himself.” Thank God I’m self-employed.
Muslims and Jews have been listening to this garbage for years. The far-right has always criticised Muslims for not speaking out on Islamist terrorism. Jews around the world have faced similar calls from the far-left to speak out against the crimes of Israel. It’s preposterous and dangerous. The implication is that if you don’t speak out against it, you must support it. It’s ridiculous.
It’s your absolute right to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself. How dare any institution demand that you prove yourself to be tolerant or inclusive or any such nonsense? How dare anyone make an assumption about your character, based on what you have not said or what you have not done? I pity anyone starting third level education or embarking on a new career in this climate.
