Claude Cueny on Cancel Culture: Does diversity also apply to opinion?

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“I don’t condone what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” The phrase does not come from Voltaire, but from the English writer Evelyn Hall (1868–1956), who wrote the phrase in her book The Life of Voltaire. She did not quote Voltaire, but rather reflected his way of thinking.

George Orwell (1903–1950) later put it this way: “Freedom of speech means saying what no one wants to hear.” This also applies to indecent things, this is the price of freedom of speech, this must be tolerated. The courts are responsible for criminal offenses, not the mafia, which has the greatest support in the media.

Every blink of an eye is now interpreted politically, globally, as a single misstep. You live in a constant mode of duels. You speak your mind before your political opponent even opens his mouth. You are either for or against, everyone sticks to their own stronghold, you defend what you love, like the conservatives of old.

Many people find it difficult to accept that diversity also applies to opinions. In the kindergarten, the SP (18% of voters) believe that the SVP (27%) has no right to exist. She concludes her position paper dated September 24, 2023 with the words: “There is no place for SVPs in Switzerland. The senior vice president must go.” And then the FDP and the Center should appear? This is the thinking of states such as China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea and other dictatorships. What an immature understanding of democracy! Both the SP and the SVP are important to a functioning democracy because both represent a significant proportion of those eligible to vote.

A study of polarization in Europe shows that “left-wing, urban and educated people” have the hardest time accepting other opinions. This is not new. What’s new is that there is research on this.

Anyone who takes diversity seriously is open to all directions. Regardless of skin color, sexual orientation and political views. Anyone who communicates only with people like himself hears only what he already knows. I want more calm and humor. A Democrat who has a different opinion is not the enemy.

Claude Cueny (67 years old) is a writer living in Basel. He writes to Blick every other Friday. His thriller “Dirty Talk” was recently released.

Source: Blick