Snowflakes and Safe Spaces

How many times have I read the same old op-ed about these ultra-liberal campuses that are "suppressing free speech" by not allowing alt-right nationalists (i.e. Nazis) speak on their campuses? I mean, if you've read anything by Bari Weiss, Brett Stephens, Megan McCardle, et al in the last four years, I'm sure you're familiar with the general outlines of the argument:

"Look at these little snowflake college kids that are so insecure in their own opinions and beliefs that they can't stand to hear opposing viewpoints. This threatens all of our liberty!"

The argument is true to a certain degree, but I note that it is never used to engage the broader suppressions of free speech that are going on right in front of us.

Well, TableTopJoe is here to help try to even things out! I give you that manliest of manly things, that would never ever be some little snowflake who needs a safe space, the National Football League.

NFL owners have unanimously approved a new national anthem policy that requires players to stand if they are on the field during the performance but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they prefer, it was announced Wednesday.

So, to be clear, when a private liberal arts college refuses to host a white nationalist as a speaker, this is an intolerable erosion of our freedoms because all political statements apparently have value. However, when wealthy white football team owners decide that they are going to force their (largely black) football players to either make the "preferred" political statement or no statement at all, well that is just patriotism, y'see!

A few more points:

• The NFL is a private organization and is not bound by the First Amendment.
• That the NFL is not bound by the First Amendment does not mean that it is not bound by both common decency and the preferences of its customers (i.e. fans).
• Standing for the National Anthem is every bit as much of a political statement as kneeling for the National Anthem.
• By telling players they are allowed to make one political statement (STAND) and not another (kneel), the NFL has inserted itself into a political controversy.
• The NFL has indicated that protesting the unwarranted killing of unarmed black men in their players' communities is a sanctionable offense, whereas standing for the Anthem and making THAT political statement is A-OK.

The NFL and its fans: a bunch of delicate little snowflakes that need their safe spaces. Who knew?