Lewis: Déjà vu all over again
The atmosphere was tense, each breath laden with anticipation and determination. Amidst the crisp, cool air, a faint scent of sweat lingered, a testament to the intensity of their resolve. With the unwavering belief that the president would not engage against them, they embarked on their mission — heedless of the potential personal consequences.
Cloaked in masks, they strode purposefully into the building, fully aware that their actions defied the law. Yet, fueled by conviction, they pressed forward, driven by the belief that their mission outweighed petty legal barriers. Despite the ease of entry, their resolve remained unshaken; they were undeterred by obstacles or risks.
Amid this chaos, these poor misguided souls maintained a fervent belief and allegiance to a cause they perceived as noble, putting aside what the facts of the situation really were.
Having a déjà vu moment? Am I speaking on Jan. 6, 2021? Yes. Am I speaking on this week at Columbia and other universities across the country? Also, yes.
The similarities are striking. Extremists, many wearing masks, fueled by one-sided propaganda most likely from social media, chose to break the law in a desperate bid for change. The “president” (university or United States) is hesitant to act. Yes, yes — one group is far right and the other far left but that is a trivial detail. It’s like watching a rom-com: You don’t need to know which one — they all have the same plot.
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So, what’s the takeaway? Several points come to mind. First, as I argued in a previous column, the extremist playbook is pretty much the same regardless of the side. Second, leadership inaction only fans the flames of unrest. And third, extremism usually tarnishes the greater cause that it purports to champion.
Want an abject lesson in trying to make things better and actually making them worse with extremism? Just ask Kristi Noem, the South Dakota governor and VP hopeful. She thought it would be a good idea to regale the tale of shooting her puppy. Instead of people thinking she was super tough, we all now just believe she is a cruel jerk. So much for that VP job.
Extremists must grasp a fundamental truth: your most heinous act will define you. For the Jan. 6 rioters, it might be the individual assaulting a cop with a U.S. flag. For the Gaza protestors, it might be the “from the river to the sea” banners advocating for the annihilation of the Jewish race. Remember the Black Lives Matter protests? Data says that 94% were peaceful — but I bet the images you remember were from the 6% that were not.
Protestors, while endeavoring to express their opinions peacefully, must confront the reality that tolerating radical elements within their ranks inevitably taints their message. Failing to vigorously denounce such extremism renders them complicit in its consequences.
Furthermore, universities and leaders are exacerbating the issue by opting for minimal responses, citing the sanctity of free speech while hate speech and threats of violence flourish. This selective enforcement fuels perceptions of bias and undermines the institutions’ integrity. The repercussions are tangible — enraged donors, disillusioned employers, and a tarnished reputation. Bad move. Just like it was a bad move for then-President Donald Trump to delay a response on Jan. 6 promoting the fiction that the group was just “fine people” wanting a tour of the Capitol.
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Radicalization on the left or right must be tempered by an unbiased enforcement of our laws and principles. Inaction and tolerance for such behavior will only hurt both the fundamentals of the cause and the institution that tolerates it. When free speech crosses the line into hate speech it must never be tolerated. It’s just that simple.
Mark Lewis, a Colorado native, had a long career in technology, including serving as the CEO of several tech companies. He’s now retired and writes thriller novels. Mark and his wife, Lisa, and their two Australian Shepherds — Kismet and Cowboy, reside in Edwards.
