This conversation is so helpful for me. I’m in academia, and I constantly have to listen to people crow about how they are teaching their students to be “radical” — and this is a major American institution, one of the top 30 schools. For seven years I have been here and have listened to stuff like that, and kept my mouth shut. I actually had one confidant warn me that I might “never get a job” if my opinions are known….keeping in mind that I’m a MODERATE and am not even a registered Republican (I’m registered Independent).
Finally I have started speaking up and believe me, they think I am Evil. And mean. And a bully. All because I express my opinion. It’s totalitarianism…but I don’t have enough nerve to say that yet. It is very difficult to know what battles to pick, and when you do engage and your opponent resorts to personal attacks, it’s difficult to not respond in kind.
