The “White Pride” controversy that has hit Towson University‘s campus is both sad and unnecessary, caused by individuals who are either misinformed or trying to fool us all with ridiculous rants and comparisons.
As a result, their hatred has spurred a wave of fear and concern on a university campus that celebrates diversity and international heritage, not to mention opportunities for personal expression and spirited discourse. Unfortunately, these opportunities have been abused by individuals who misled the university, its faculty, and its students in thinking their arguments were conservative and traditional in foundation.
At a meeting held last Thursday on Towson’s campus, Matt Heimbach, representing “Youth for Western Civilization” (YWC), played the role of the victim, equating his right to claiming “White Pride” to similar movements by blacks, gays, and females. As stated in multiple reports, Heimbach received a variety of threats for his efforts to further the agenda of the YWC.
First, let’s look at this argument from the standpoint of connotations. The term “White Pride,” historically, has its roots firmly planted in white supremacist and neo-nazi establishments. By using the term “White Pride,” Heimbach assumes the burden of this term’s foundation and everything negative associated with it. Simply put, Heimbach and the YWC are elevating one race (or group) over another, every time they use it.
In contrast, the movements by blacks, gays, and females (as well as Native Americans and other groups) are driven by the absolute need to be recognized as equals for their heritage, their culture, or for their gender.
Their histories and foundations in the United States are not filled with hatred and supremacy. They are filled with suppression, abuse, inferiority, and assimilation. By whom? Generations of Americans who have believed that they have every right to thrust their assumed superiority over others.
These suppressed groups do not wish to rise above another group or claim supremacy in any way; they simply want to be recognized fairly and equally.
Comparisons between a “White Pride” movement and the movements of blacks, gays, females, and Native Americans is a clear fallacy by association, and it might even be argued that the comparisons are borderline criminal for inciting hate speech on both sides of this issue.
If the YWC wants to be considered a legitimate voice of traditional conservatives, they need to state clearly the beliefs of traditionalists like Russell Kirk (The Conservative Mind) and apply them to contemporary social mores. The wrongful application of shameful bouts of racism and claims of supremacy to the ever-evolving 21st-century culture of the United States of America has no place in moving our country forward for all citizens, regardless of race, ethnicity, and gender.
