–We start today’s show, centered around the topic of “Unsafe Speech,” by talking about the work of social scientist Jonathan Haidt, and how facts can get lost in the midst of orthodoxy. Warning: today’s episode may offend you occasionally, so check your privilege, loosen your sphincters, and join the discussion.
–Let’s start with a topic most probably agree with us on: the anti-trans “bathroom bill” found in NC, for instance. Can we please just admit this is a made up issue designed to rally the far-right conservative base?
–Is it true that women earn .78 for every dollar a man makes? That men and women are paid differently for equal work? Not exactly. The statistic is misleading, and we’re not sure who is really helped by furthering the myth. And what about the two-tiered wage system? Is that more harmful than the gender wage gap?
–The $15/hr minimum wage is a big point of contention, even among political allies. Should entry level employees really make that much? Is it pricing unskilled workers right out of a job? Is there, perhaps, a good argument to be made for eliminating the minimum wage altogether?
–How far is too far when it comes to disciplining your child? While some might argue that corporal punishment itself is child abuse, where do you personally draw the line between corrective punishment and a crime?
–If you choose to not eat meat because you don’t want a living creature to suffer or die for your food, please don’t show off your expensive leather boots, ok?
–Here’s a fact: women sometimes lie about being raped. That’s not in dispute. What is in dispute is how often. The truth is, it’s probably more than what some activists would have you believe.
–On a related note, do we here in the United States live in a “rape culture”? What even is rape culture? While we’re at it, let’s clarify what victim blaming is, too.
–Black Lives Matter may be responsible for some positive change, but they also deserve some criticism as well. While they shine a spotlight on instances of illegal police tactics, are there more pressing concerns for black lives in black communities?
–Racism, sexism, homophobia, and even rape apologists all exist. But far too often charges of racism, sexism, etc. are levied all too quick, and often in an attempt to stifle dissent and shut down debate. Whether you’re white, black, a man, a woman, gay, straight, or whatever…this society belongs to all of us. We face difficult problems that may require complicated solutions. Neither creating orthodoxy or succumbing to it helps, and it’s only when we feel free to speak up that we can actually be a part of the conversation.
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