Dutch Left Kicks Multiculturalism to the Curb

Looks like certain lefties are finally realizing that it doesn’t quite work when only one side high-mindedly believes there’s no such thing as “us” against “them.” If the other side is saying, it’s “you against us,” you’d damn well better pay attention. As any first-grader who’s gotten the snot kicked out of him can tell you, the rules of Sesame Street only work on Sesame Street. The sooner grownups — politicians especially — realize that, the better for all involved.

Of course, this lesson came the hard way–after a few needless deaths at the hands of “immigrants,” who really saw no reason to give up the barbarism of their home countries. “Immigrants” is code for hardcore Islamists who insist on Sharia law, subjugating women, honor killings and violence toward anyone who criticizes them, all of which were to be understood and tolerated under old-school multiculturalism.

But no more. “Instead of reflexively offering tolerance with the expectation that things would work out in the long run, she said, the government strategy should be ‘bringing our values into confrontation with people who think otherwise.'”

Note that this isn’t a reactionary party, some xenophobic group of knuckle-draggers. These are members of the left, who’ve belatedly realized that what was under attack wasn’t some vague notion of multiculturalism, but the very liberal ideals they supposedly valued: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, gender equality, etc.

The paper just released states: “The mistake we can never repeat is stifling criticism of cultures and religions for reasons of tolerance.” It includes attacks on “self-victimization” and the grown-up notions that punishment for broken laws must be severe enough to actually deter crime.

Goodbye moral relativism. And good riddance.