Here we go… The keyboard-warriors have been kicking off on “Twatter” …again!

The well-known actor Laurence Fox, who is also a singer / songwriter has released an album (A Grief Observed). His latest offering is seen by many as an overt side-swipe at the politically correct woke culture, which he likens to a new religion.

Some people will say that his undoubtedly controversial views are (arguably) part of a contrived marketing process for his music. I don’t think so but, was he being clever, brave or inherently stupid when he decided to voice his personal opinions on BBC Question Time recently?

At the back end of 2019, Barack Obama challenged woke (see here) but I didn’t hear/see him being immediately pilloried. Perhaps Obama’s POC status was in play and Fox, as a ‘privileged’ white person, was worthy of attack? Whichever view you might take, a vitriolic virtual shit-storm has ensued.

“Oh come on, it’s Question Time? Irrelevant and stage-managed!” I hear some shout. But, irrespective of those common arguments about the ‘fabled BBC impartiality‘ or, the fact that many believe, the ‘BBC is biased‘ and ‘Question Time is in fact stage-managed’ (see below), there was bound to be some fall-out.

BBC Question Time slammed as Fiona Bruce admits they selected pro-Tory audience: People are reacting with disbelief, after BBC Question Time admitted that it consciously selected a pro-Tory audience. (read more at scramnews.com)

Whatever you may / may not believe, the BBC FAQ says; “Each week Question Time aims to select a panel with a broad range of views, knowledge and experience, with panellists, who are relevant to the big stories or debates of that week.”

For me, I remain unconvinced that the BBC are as impartial or transparent as perhaps they once were, which is one reason why I rarely watch the program any more. That said, show me any MSM source that is, impartial, transparent and unbiased today. But back to the current “Twatter” battle.

We are talking about the liberal philosophy and ethics or ideology of political correctness, as it relates to what is considered to be ‘racism‘ (or not as the case may be) and consequently; the  assumptions that are constantly made by many, who label others with ‘white-privilege‘ if/when a person dares to question prevalent ‘new-age‘ and ‘woke‘ viewpoints.

Having now seen the piece from Question Time, it was clear that Lozza Fox would be subjected to a virtual pile-on. The self-promoting keyboard warriors were quickly mobilised in an expected call-to-arms.

But, the ensuing vitriolic abuse, which was disgusting, was also really something to be observed. However, this is sadly the nature of Twitter and most social-media platforms today. Especially if you dare to voice an opinion, which doesn’t follow the mainstream … the one that has been developed and expertly promoted by so-called social-media influencers or mainstream marketeers.

Fox was correct when he said; “Too often important voices get lost amongst all the vitriol and bile on Twatter!” For now at least, there still appears to be an ever decreasing number of people who feel able to support this freedom of thought and speech, thankfully!

But all Fox was questioning (IMO) was; how can it be right that, a small but vociferous cohort,  is afforded the right (and power) to shut-down anybody with a contrary opinion? Something that appears to be happening with increasing monotony today.

The light has been turned down on the age of reason. Replaced by blinding fires that burn wild across the region. For the wrong to rule. The good must just stand idly by (Laurence Fox – The Distance)

This ‘plain-speaking’ culture war has the potential to turn poisonous: Laurence Fox’s anti-PC stance on Question Time has tapped into a disturbing trend. White privilege is complex, but that doesn’t make it any less real. Who has it? All white people perhaps, in certain circumstances, just to varying degrees. …why are some people (even erudite types such as Fox) so blind to their own advantages – even bizarrely laying claim to victimhood, with all that “I can’t help being born this way” codswallop? (The Guardian)

But, I’m not suggesting that you should agree with Fox, or disagree with him for that matter, as some clearly do (see above), that’s up to you and your personal choice.

However, you might find some additional context behind his views (right or wrong), honestly voiced (IMO) and explained in the interview he did with TRIGGERnometry (see below), the self-styled free speech YouTube show and podcast. Note: The woke may be triggered…again!

To my mind, the proliferation of overt ‘identity politics‘ in recent years has actually created perverse outcomes. Ones that have served to perpetuate and reinforce many of the issues it seeks to resolve.

I actually believe that in reality, we are seeing the destruction of tolerance, inclusion and acceptance of diversity, by setting ‘factions’ against each other. Especially within those corners of the internet inhabited by vacuous amoebae who get emboldened by their often vicarious participation in these issues, which tend to take place in echo-chambers. All of which creates ‘victims’ on both sides of the (unnecessarily vitriolic)  discourse.

Addendum: After this Lozza Fox debacle and drawing on her GCSE religious education at school, Celia Walden writing in The Telegraph asked; “Do people really have ideological systems?”

Despite being provided with a printed flowchart at school, to explain how people with X religious beliefs had Y political, sexual and ecological beliefs, she remained baffled… “Were human beings that robotic? Could/should the whole of our society really be broken down (and divided) so neatly? The answer to both of those questions was, of course, “no” – until the ‘woke’ brigade were born.”

These PC fundamentalists have an “ideological system” that extends beyond religion (and all-consuming self-worship) and politics to the kind of language they use, the grievances they harbour and the variety of milk they drink. (Celia Walden)

Despite all the abuse for daring to have a different opinion, that Fox (rightly or wrongly) chose to espouse, he also appears to have a much-need skill and capability. That ability to see (and accept) many puerile aspects of any ensuing debacle.

He can accept and move on, with a quick nod to often required stoicism skills, ones that help us to deal with controversial and/or difficult issues beyond our comprehension, or any capability to change… It is what it is! 

How long Fox (or others) hold on to that capability, to apply the required stoicism, before these issues present profound impacts for their individual mental-health and wellbeing, is a whole different ball-game!

During a time when suicide is in the ascendant, and also one of the greatest causes of death, amongst young white males (see here), we would all do well to remember;  words can be powerful, and not always in a good way.

It is undoubtedly important that we all take care about our choice of words and how we use them. If or when we have a platform in which to offer our views and opinions, we should also exercise care in the way we choose to espouse them.

I can forgive Fox for (unintentionally) ‘upsetting’ anyone. However, should he be ridden with guilt for triggering those who constantly seek to take offence on behalf of others? I’m not so sure?

I’m also concerned that too many ‘professionals’ (who should know better), along with the cohort of self-serving politicians and media hacks (who couldn’t care less), continue to perpetuate anxiety, mistrust and (sadly) anger across our society. A society now ridden with fear, unknowns and guilt.

Our increasing and inherent lack of life-reasons, other than working yourself to death for the system, along with that reduced sense of individual purpose, are producing profoundly negative impacts for our society.

And all this before we even mention or consider the undoubted but associated mental-health impacts that go with this problem. I also worry about the future outcomes for our society, where we constantly create and perpetuate ‘victims’ – where hope is constantly deflated or covertly dismissed, by so many within public forums.

We are continuing to develop a future (for many) where we create and compound despair. A place where so many individuals, who are already increasingly desperate about their self-actualisation feel they have little or no purpose.

Is it really any wonder that so many people hide behind drugs and alcohol, in an attempt to block out or try to escape that despair. Or often out of desperation, turn to crime in their attempts to traverse that chasm, between their poverty and the green grass enjoyed by the well-healed on the other side of the social class divide.

We can’t (and won’t) improve the clear disparity of opportunity by constantly setting differing ‘factions’ against each other… end of.