In his book, Brendan O`Neill states, “It is the thesis of this short book that the constant churn of political correctness–or cancel culture or wokeness or intolerance or whatever we’re calling it–represents not just an over-the-top clampdown on speech, but a crisis of Enlightenment.”
What’s a heretic you may ask? Let me tell you. A heretic is a person holding an opinion that is at odds with general acceptance. Years ago, we may have called witches the heretics of the age, but now we have a new breed. The new breed of heretics is anyone that dare go against the insanity of the modern world. J.K. Rowling stood up and fought for women’s rights. She was called an innumerable number of names and insults. Ms Rowling even had her home address posted online with death threats. There are many more, too numerous to mention.
Mr O`Neill offers the reader an analysis of the current worldwide mania of looking for ‘hate speech’ at every turn, as well as the victim-hood mentality that has begun to dominate in some areas. Those core issues are applied to several discussions through the book. From the first chapter entitled “Her p3n1s” through “C19 as Metaphor” finishing with “Words Wound”, Brendan O`Neill writes with a clarity, a literary freedom and an honesty that is refreshing to see.
The author examines how decades of progress on gay rights have been wound back by the transgender movement and discusses the concept of whether homosexuality is “transphobic bigotry”. His arguments are solid, and fact driven, presented well and backed up with his documented research. Brendan O’Neill also looks at the toxicity of our past, how the legacies and universal inheritances of our cultures are being dismissed and traduced. He dissects the suggestion that racial thinking has been resurrected. He examines the subject of media and censorship, how it’s an ominous attempt at thought control.
This book is a great read. It’s well presented with current issues. The research and reading done for each chapter, laid out for the reader to examine and follow up if they wish. This is the first book I have read of Mr O`Neill’s and it will not be the last. The language used is perfect for the style of writing. It is almost a conversation in some points particularly as our author discusses the attraction of cancel culture in today’s world.
Throughout history, there have always been people pushing society forward, giving new ideas and thoughts. However, nowadays, these people are in short supply. Mr O`Neill reminds us through his words that we need to arm ourselves intellectually and morally for the battles ahead. This book does much more than look at issues in society, it also provides solutions and encourages a call to arms for everyone. All too often, we stand with the majority, to be part of the ‘in crowd’ and for fear of pressure from those around us. But now it is time to stand up for what is right and what you believe in, even if you are standing alone.
As he says, “the more we refuse to be censored and exercise our right to be offensive, to exercise free speech and independent thought, the better it will be for us all. This is a critical time in the world now”.
