“A loon is not a heron, and that makes a difference, not just to me, but to the loon, the heron, and the wide world.”
—Elizabeth McCracken, A Long Game
I recently attended an event at the Redwood City Library, “Let’s Talk: The Transgender Assault on Women and Girls.” It was inevitable the Woke would get wind of it and not miss an opportunity for performative sanctimony. There were approximately fifty protesters in front of the library, including the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence drag queens. Several of the obligatory “Transwomen Are Women” signs were observed, which is arguably one of the dumbest phrases ever espoused in the English language—or any language, for that matter. It is, though, one of the holiest tenets of Woke ideology. (The “Transwomen Are Real Women” version is even dumber.)
I didn’t notice any Trantifa hooligans among the protesters, and to the protesters’ credit, they didn’t disrupt the speakers in an upstairs meeting room, nor did they prevent people, including attendees, from entering or leaving the library. When I left the event they were singing, “We Shall Overcome,” which is risible because in blue states, the transcult is running the show in regard to dictating harmful public policy and their level of institutional capture is staggering. (I later learned there was an incident of a protester childishly throwing food and drink on one of the speakers at the event who had the courage to confront the protesters in front of the library. I believe this happened afterwards.)
A benign protest wasn’t merely good enough for a Woke letter writer to the San Mateo Daily Journal (see below). She displayed the all-too common lack of understanding and respect for free speech and was “disappointed” the library allowed this event to occur. She employed classic fascist gaslighting in her letter: A specious assertion the censor is for free speech followed by a “but…” statement which completely negates the assertion. She is a typical Woke fascist for whom censorship is the first arrow out of the quiver when confronting one’s political foes.
The Woke don’t just disagree with an opinion. They’re outraged an opinion they don’t like exists in the first place or people are given an opportunity to share it. The letter writer obviously supports the odious position that the library should not have allowed the event.
I do not object to the letter writer making her opinion known, and if she were to schedule a talk at the library to share opinions I abhor, I’d support her right to do so. This is the key difference. I support free speech and focus efforts where these belong: Fighting like hell against the implementation of bad opinions, not that the opinion exists or is espoused. It would never occur to me to complain to a library about a group I don’t like scheduling a talk there. That would be fascism—and a childish version of it, to boot.
Editor,
As a Redwood City resident, I was disappointed to learn that Redwood City Public Library is hosting an event titled “The Transgender Assault on Women and Girls” on June 7.
My family loves our library and is grateful for everything it brings to our community. My 8-year-old son even dipped into his fiercely protected allowance fund to become a Junior Friend of the Friends of the Library. Public libraries play an essential role in supporting free expression and the exchange of ideas, including ideas that many people may disagree with. But libraries also have a responsibility to uphold their own values and policies.
The Redwood City Public Library’s meeting room policy states that groups using library facilities may not discriminate against or promote hate toward people based on characteristics including gender identity and expression. The library’s mission emphasizes belonging, equity and inclusion.
My concern is not that this event presents a controversial viewpoint, but that the title itself portrays an entire group of people as a threat. Characterizing transgender people as an “assault” on others goes beyond policy discussion and reinforces fear and hostility toward a community that already faces disproportionate levels of harassment and violence.
During Pride Month, when communities across the country celebrate the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ people, our public library should be reaffirming its commitment to belonging for all residents, not creating doubt about whether some members of our community are welcome.
Jessica Shade
Redwood City
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