At a free speech symposium recently held at the University of Missouri, CNN commentator Sally Kohn argued that pro-free speech advocates are merely trying to stifle diversity on our respective college campuses. “If they feel like they can no longer speak [their views], good,” said Kohn. “I’m happy [they feel] under assault,” she concluded.

And, thus, Ms. Kohn proves what too few have been willing to see and and even fewer have been willing to say: Progressive tolerance is really nothing more than a ploy being used by the soldiers of “hope and change” in their quest for unmitigated and unrestrained cultural control. When the balance of power shifts, tolerance will quickly turn to tyranny. These are the leaders of the Left. They are the politicians, professors and pundits who really believe they are the “ones we’ve been waiting for and they are the change we seek.”

They have total confidence (some might suggest arrogance) that they are right (even though up until just yesterday they were quick to condemn everyone else for thinking they were right). They see no need to hide behind pretentions of tolerance any longer, for that would mean some ideas other than their own might actually have merit. There is no need to pretend any longer. They are very open now as to their true agenda.

And here it is: They will squash dissent from any who risk pointing out their contradictions. They will sequester and even sentence any who dare ask why their emperor is wearing no clothes. This is not intellectual freedom, but rather ideological fascism. Disagree and be silenced. Refuse to join the parade of goose-stepping clones and be fined or jailed. Challenge their orthodoxy and lose your job, your business, your retirement, your church, your college or your home. They never had any intention of tolerating anyone or anything. Their goal was always power, and now that they have it, they clearly intend to use it as a bludgeon against all who challenge their duplicity.

The worldview driving all this is based on lies. It is a magician’s trick — an illusion — designed to conceal and deceive. Nothing is what it seems. Their call for inclusion is driven by exclusion. Their criticism of hate is fueled by their own hate. They wave the banner of feminism while denying the female. They claim to be pro-science while shamelessly ignoring basic biology. They revel in bigotry as they condemn the bigot. They kill the powerless while they rail against the powerful. They denounce racism while fomenting racial division. Waving banners of love, they know nothing but sex. Championing human rights, they mock what is human and what is right. Preaching that all morality is relative, they demand that they alone are moral. They appoint judges to condemn those who judge. They call for democracy while working to overrule the democratic vote. They claim to be multicultural while demeaning other cultures. They champion tolerance while they celebrate tyranny.

History shows us the the only solution to such madness is found in the age old words once emblazoned on many a college seal: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free;” words that Ms. Kohn seems to eschew. Truth gives us freedom. Lies always lead to bondage and slavery.

C.S. Lewis told us no culture can do any measuring without a measuring rod outside of those things being measured. The freedom Ms. Kohn enjoys to say what she says assumes such a measuring rod as the judge of her claims. The freedom I enjoy to challenge her assumes the same. Without this outside authority to “referee” the debate, her opinion wins and my freedom is lost. But apparently, Ms. Kohn is just fine with that and considers it good education.

Originally published on okwu.edu. Reprinted with permission.