Courage is Contagious: Rikki Schlott on Fighting Back Against Cancel Culture

23-year-old Rikki Schlott self-censored her views in college.
What did she believe that was so terrible?
Well, she’s a right-leaning libertarian.
At NYU, that’s scary, she says.
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“I was afraid to have Thomas Sowell books on my bookshelf,” says Schlott.
She kept her mouth shut and eventually dropped out of NYU because she found it stifling.
But now, Schlott is fighting back. Her new book Cancelling of the American Mind, details how cancel culture crushes people who think differently.
“We need to come together and actually fight back.” Schlott tells me, “We want to live in a free speech culture and not a cancel culture.”
Watch the video to learn more about Rikki Schott’s fight.

[@Ochreification]

To quote Ricky Gervais, "Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right."

[@deltawldr]

To quote Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies)"And if I offended you well, I'm sorry but, maybe you needed to be offended. And one more thing..F#@k you"!

[@CoreyT127]

It just means your soft!

[@user-rl2rl2ot6c]

Nice, I can be as racist as I want, as long as im not promoting violence

[@user-ct1yy3pt3x]

I live in asia and they are as racist as phuk but im not going to cry about it .

[@PruneHub]

@user-rl2rl2whatever Yes you can. It's called "freedom". Ever heard that word before?

[@VulgarRage]

I still remember when they told us: “cancel culture isn’t real. You’re just over exaggerating” Who would believe we would live in an almost totalitarian world state when it comes to speech.

[@brianburgess3231]

If you did it today would probably get you cancelled

[@user-nh3gu1ge3d]

Right out of the leftist playbook. 1. Deny it's happening 2. Downplay it's happening 3. Admit it's happening but say it's good 4. Push it 100% and destroy contrary This is a very effective strategy because it's the "frog in the boiling water" type thing. At first the masses don't realize, by the time they realize, they are acquainted with it and by the time they'd resist, they have been accustomed to it/brainwashed into it.

[@ShawnPatton-rm2hv]

You know that the civil rights act was 59 years old and many Americans did little or nothing to make sure that it was done sooner, or not needed at all. Finally people are having little tolerance for bigotry. If a person isn’t spewing bigoted rhetoric, what’s the concern?

[@urmailman]

Ive been exercising the 1st on youtube a lot lately. Just found out im on the 'Terror/Extremeist' watchlist. Native American of 40 years and white. Imagine that feeling of knowing in my governments eyes that im an enemy to them. I would tell my wife but she would be terrified and take my daughter away. So im trapped knowing this information and not being to share with loved ones.

[@sexistspaghettios]

​@ShawnPatton-rm2hv "If you're not guilty, then you have nothing to hide!" And that's not even addressing the fact that you people have completley diluted words like "bigotry, racism etc etc." Going even further, even if it IS bigoted or racist, it is protected under free speech. Period. It's almost like you either completely missed or just don't care that it's specifically designed to protect speech you DON'T agree with!

[@alabama2uz]

Thomas Sowell books should be in every public and private library

[@Funknwanker]

They should be read in all high schools

[@ShawnPatton-rm2hv]

And LGBTQ and books about racism in America.

[@wrongthinker843]

@@ShawnPatton-rm2hv As soon as you stop being fascist, trash.

[@NobleOmnicide]

They should be required reading material in high school so that when kids go to college, they're already empowered with information to protect them from marxist "professors".

[@tonyelliott7734]

​@@ShawnPatton-rm2hv I agree. Racism towards caucasians is very prevalent and socially acceptable nowadays and the alphabet community, minus the Ls, Gs and Bs, needs to be exposed for their hypocrisy.

[@stephenlancisi9087]

The first rule is to NEVER apologize for something you didn't do!

[@bungobilbo5709]

What about if you didn't turn off the oven and now the house has burned down?

[@dalemcdenver7816]

@@bungobilbo5709 Well, he did say "you *didn't* do", so... that one's on you

[@chapter4travels]

It's the Trump rule.

[@33Donner77]

Don't kneel, don't sing the Black National Anthem, don''t lick any victims' boots.

[@bryanutility9609]

Not only did I do it, but I’d do it again! How’s that for an apology?

[@marcsmith2708]

...and now I've ordered her book. Cancel culture is a cancer on our culture.

[@GaryR55]

"Cancel culture" is the antithesis of culture!

[@wannabecarguy]

I agree with her on the topic of forgiveness.

[@VariantAEC]

​@@GaryR55 Just learned what Marxism is, eh? Karl Marx was all about destroying things, primarily human society.

[@matthewdanko4064]

​@VariantAEC you clearly haven't actually read anything on Marxism😂😂 minute long videos on right wing social media don't count

[@GaryR55]

@@VariantAEC Actually, kid, I've been aware of it since I met a Russian couple, one of whom worked with my father. Their names were Igor and Illena and they had escaped the Soviet Union to live in the United States. They told me what their life in the USSR had been like while visiting my father and I. This was in 1957, when I was 5. So, what would you like to know about Marxism? Yeah, you should have seen the film footage of Nikita Kruschev saying, in Russian, "We will bury you." Saw that on TV when I was 9.

[@AndyFromm]

Cancel the left

[@trevormcmanis]

This young lady is wise beyond her years. It's refreshing to witness...

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

As long as she's provided a voice (via Stossel). Otherwise, she would have remained invisible and unknown like the other 99%. 😂

[@weekendwarrior3420]

This stuff is very easy to understand. She's just decided to not be silent anymore.

[@derrickmcadoo3804]

@@Novastar.SaberCombat If she wasn't brave, intelligent, and ambitious, she would have never grabbed his attention. That's how things work.

[@dgoddard]

I'm 100% into what she's saying. I'm so sick of everyone being offended by everything. I seriously couldn't care less if someone is offended by what I say. I never say anything with intent to hurt an individual. But just being offended for the sake of being offended is getting old.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

Yes, but if someone has more coin, connections, clout, crews, computer code, control, communities, and opportunities than do you... you'll be silenced and censored. No exceptions.

[@lustrousandlovely6847]

Preach! 🎉

[@ShawnPatton-rm2hv]

Do you ever speak with the intention of not being offensive?

[@bryanjoachim5655]

Only certain people are purportedly offended. But they're very loud, belligerent and self centered. We need to learn to ignore them.

[@user-yl7zu5dv9h]

It is completely OK to be offended and to offend people. What is not OK is to sanction people for what they say.

[@halfcentury1112]

I went to NYU on a college tour with my daughter - it took me 3 minutes to tell her there was no chance I was paying for her to attend this liberal hell hole - cool location though....

[@flickboogers9325]

What do you mean liberal? How is this determined in 3 minutes?

[@beth3535]

Liberal labels are wholly inaccurate-they are the antitheses of what’s going on in workplaces and campuses.

[@adamstarr7287]

Flickboogers you should stick to what you're good at. It's in the name. Also, make sure that chin strap on your helmet is tight.

[@DavidJones-ke6kt]

@@flickboogers9325

[@flickboogers9325]

@@adamstarr7287 You can't even read... it's clear since you ignorant question

[@MrIamnoone]

I feel sad for those who never lived in the years pre-social media, pre-internet. They were wonderful years. A shame we can't go back.

[@DeleteMyas]

You can, just don't go on the internet and cry about it for likes. : |

[@Dwh1960]

I’m glad to see there are still some brave people. Thank you John stossel

[@brendamyc3173]

We have to stop the Marxism! Communism is prison for humanity.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

Trump is the epitome of cancel culture. He tried to cancel the votes of 81 million Americans. Funny how Stossel didn't mention that.

[@Dogatemyhomework927]

I love this!! I fought for it in the 60’s at Berkeley ironically!!

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

That's what I do not understand. Some if not most of these CHILDREN are from these parents that did that. NOW it's scary words with ZERO consequences. They chased away Ben Sharpio from Berkeley.

[@kinjunranger140]

The party of the hippies is now: - pro big government - pro censorship - pro war - pro big business I never would have believed it back in the 60's.

[@1htalp9]

I worked 26 years in higher education LE and witnessed the steady decline... whatever you do, don't send your kids to 98% of the colleges in the US.

[@bryanutility9609]

98% of America is dead

[@grnhrntskato]

You can express your dislike or hatred for a group but you can't call for violence against them.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

"I'd like to punch him in the face." - Donald Trump, on a peaceful protester

[@Green__one]

The only people I ever support canceling, are those calling for the cancellation of others. If someone supports cancel culture, I have no problem at all canceling them.

[@christopherbuckley94]

Good for her! There is some hope for the future!

[@GaryR55]

I recall going through the process of selling my condo, back in 2006, long before anyone ever heard of the "cancel culture." I had many books on my shelves by conservative authors and the realtor was obviously upset about this. This was in Edmond, Oklahoma, for crying out loud! Maybe she later moved to California, to be among her own kind.

[@twistedhillbilly6157]

Funny you mentioned that.. I had a house in Calif. and asked some realtors to come talk about taking the listing.. I had a Banner covering one window to block the sun in the summer.. The banner had an American flag and said "God Bless America".. One realtor suggested that I take it down and cover the window with tin-foil because it would "look better".. In Calif. the junkies cover their windows with tin-foil. I didn't give him the listing..

[@GaryR55]

@@twistedhillbilly6157 My realtor actually asked me if I wouldn't mind moving my books! Who the hell was she showing my place to, only Democrats?!

[@weekendwarrior3420]

She just wanted to increase the chances of selling. Doing her job, actually.. And you were impeding it by putting books on display where people from CA could see them and get disgusted by yout house @@GaryR55​

[@davidtaylor4053]

Or maybe she was just trying to help you sell your house.

[@GaryR55]

@@davidtaylor4053 Of course she was. But you entirely missed the point, which was that in Oklahoma in 2006 there was NONE of this "cancel culture" nonsense going on yet, of course, but, oddly enough, this obviously leftist realtor seemed to believe that Democrats wouldn't buy my condo. How stupid and childish of her! As it turned out, a woman (political affiliation unknown and unimportant) bought my home for cash, for her daughter and grandchildren.

[@leipersgreen6763]

As a working class man, I am totally ready to fight for the freedom of speech!!

[@Joe-pc3hs]

Just now after speech has already been severely curtailed?

[@Hittius]

Start by telling a broad her ass looks good in those yoga pants. See how pro free speech women are. They started this nonsense,they are the original victim class that paved the way for all the rest. It’s not a generation it’s a gender that’s the problem.

[@ShawnPatton-rm2hv]

With the freedom to speak, people also have the freedom to ignore or dismiss.

[@tr3vk4m]

And with that comes the freedom to disagree.

[@palaverprattle2996]

That's 2 of us.

[@orioles1971]

You can only be canceled if you let yourself be canceled. Push back every time someone tries to cancel you and you will be happier.

[@rockzhard2009]

NAILED IT

[@ge2719]

yeah, they can only take away your job, your access to banking, get you arrested for "hate crime", force everyone, friends, family to disassociate from you or else they too get cancelled. no one can really be cancelled 🙄

[@hotshotbrave]

I believe Matt Walsh said something similar.

[@kingofthorns203]

@@hotshotbrave He definitely did, either followed or preceded by "Kiss my ass" to the attempted cancelers LOL

[@hotshotbrave]

@@kingofthorns203 just how it should be!

[@throatwobblermangrove8510]

I'm a life-long libertarian. I despise cancel culture, but considering that it has been continually weaponized by one particular side, I have no problem with them getting a dose of their own medicine. Until everyone finds it equally undesirable, those who mete it out should experience it just as harshly. Just as people supporting Hamas are screaming for a ceasefire from Israel: you don't get to make unprovoked attacks and then just raise your hands and say "Wait, let's talk about it!"

[@curtroseman3252]

I know right?!? Let's just look at the things that have been cancelled in the last year or so: Bud Light- supported a transgender..they got "cancelled" Chick-fil-a- Supported DEI investing, you know, how they invest their own money...they got "cancelled" Target- they had the audacity to sell a product that someone would want. But if it isn't what this side wants, "Hell No"...they got "cancelled" NFL- They didn't murder a man that made a statement about his beliefs by simply taking a knee, not burning cities to the ground, just kneeling...they got "cancelled" Parler- Oh no, THEY cancelled it, you mean it wasn't supported by business that didn't choose to finance a place that many were slinging hate filled messages, about killing jews and blacks several times per day. But freedom of those businesses should be paramount... Josh Hawley- "They cancelled my book deal because I stood up for my beliefs." First you knowingly tried to interfere with an election that the majority of election fraud, ballot tampering etc. that has been unearthed, has been by Team Elephant. Nike- How dare a company decide to support someone? You guessed it, they got "cancelled" Kuerig- pulled their ad dollars from Hannity (their freedom of choice right?) they got "cancelled" Gillete-decided that hey, ya know, women buy razors too...they got "cancelled" Mr Potato Head- gee, wouldn't it be easier if the manufacturer put bot sets of gender identifying parts in the package, and let the kid decide what they want it to be? Hasbro got so worked up, they jumped ship on an idea that could have save several thousands of pounds of packaging every year, but what are ya gonna do? They tried to cancel the Barbie movie before it got going, but that was not their moment of success. Fox News- DJT said his people should stop watching since "they no longer work for the Republican Party." I don’t minimize bans from the left. But the notion that cancel culture is the sole province of the so called “woke left” is flat out, undeniably, irrefutably wrong.

[@acem82]

To be fair, the attacks, while evil and horrible, weren't unprovoked. And yes, both sides can be wrong.

[@Marin3r101]

​@@acem82get ratio'd

[@janusn9]

​@acem82 they were absolutely unprovoked. They killed 1200 civilians that had nothing to do with their war other than they were Jewish and Israeli.

[@acem82]

@@Marin3r101 Yes, how dare I tell the truth? What was I thinking?

[@briannewman6216]

Cancel culture is not a new phenomena. The US 1st amendment was included in the US constition for a reason.

[@Galloway17]

Any university that has restrictions on free speech should lose all federal funding. Including GSL’s for students who choose to attend them. That would cancel “cancel culture” pretty darned quick on campuses.

[@ajsanche99]

A lot of Universities have endowments that could pay for everyone's education, but in my opinion, they are an outdated method of education.

[@jovetj]

Such universities (e.g. all of them) should be bankrupt and gone. There is no _higher learning_ at university and college campuses these days... only _higher indoctrination._ That's really wrong, and it's a huge disservice to our progeny. It is literally evil.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

Just curious, is trying to cancel 81 million votes a restriction on freedom of speech?

[@Galloway17]

@@user-pv9ev3nu6s No, but believing Biden got 81 million votes is probably a sign of insanity.

[@BN-mg4ix]

Shared this with my churches small group who is studying Erwin Lutzer's "We will not be silenced". We're working on freedom of speech this week. How fitting......

[@Grandmas_Favorite]

What an absolute legend!

[@Doc5thMech]

Being offended is a choice, and refusal to confront issues.

[@theHAL9000]

She is a breath of fresh air. At some point our society got hijacked by a horde of whiny, controlling passive-aggressive morons super short on knowledge and life-experience.

[@DeleteMyas]

Who is Vivek Ramaswamy?

[@Erwin70000]

The Inquisition is a live and thriving int he mind of self-righteous devotees! "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark, the real tragedy of life is when men and women are afraid of the light."

[@zachsimmerock5257]

Keep'em coming Mr. Stossel!

[@publicmail2]

I had a job as a "SAFE SPACE CONSULAR", every so often I'd have to jump in and rescue kids from drowning in their own bullshit.

[@rosc2022]

I'd love to hear some of those "war stories," LOL!

[@jerrycrawford7688]

🤣

[@tpep1693]

Unreal, people better WAKE UP! About time someone started to push back, keep going.

[@buickinvicta288]

Thank you Mr. Stossel. Fight the good fight! 🇱🇷 Godspeed.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

Just curious, what is Stossell's take on Trump's attempt to cancel 81 million American voters?

[@HobokenHam]

Her voice is needed badly. I just bought her book on Kindle. Wish her resounding success!

[@tiamoore2861]

Canceling shouldn't be the governments or a business reaction. You can block who you want on your personal account.

[@acctsys]

Business decisions are personal decisions of owners. No one's entitled to be served or sold to. A more open business has a bigger market to sell to.

[@tiamoore2861]

@@acctsys I disagree, if the employee isn't speaking for the company then employees should not be punished for the things they say on their own time

[@acctsys]

@@tiamoore2861 It's still the owner's prerogative. When the left made black only businesses, that's well and fine. The same principle applies. No one should be forced to hire anyone. A more open business has a bigger employee pool to choose from. The only ones who complain about this are those insecure about their ability to work, but force their ideology to the workplace. The best get to choose who to work for.

[@wrongthinker843]

@@acctsys So we shouldn't have to do business with jews?

[@debanydoombringer1385]

@@tiamoore2861 Also disagree. You have a freedom of association which includes a business or owner of a business. You're thinking is how we ended up with quotas because the right to associate was removed.

[@mikeholmed7029]

Im old enough to recall the no labels movement in the 70s and 80s. Now these woke dolts race to label themselves and everyone around them.

[@redbear4027]

I quit teaching at Towson University after my Dean asked me to PASS 3 Black Basketball players who never showed up to class. Academia has been corrupt for a very long time.

[@arasb3258]

I urge everyone to call the "Bias Response Hotline" and flood it with the BS that it deserves 😂.

[@MrGreen-sq4cf]

She did not do anything when it counted. She is now looking to make a buck. Typical of her generation.

[@n9wox]

Give me a break. People have been writing books for generations, not only to make money but to share their experiences and ideas 🙄

[@Lievyon]

I struggle with the idea of a free society. Where people that hate and want to destroy that society use the freedoms given to them to accomplish their goals. Do free societies have a built in expiration date due to the freedoms they give? Is there a way to overcome that weakness? I don't know.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

She provided the answer. Extremists who want to control everyone only win when the masses cower and let bullies push them around. Oligarchs fund and even found such groups like BLM for that purpose.

[@markg3289]

People who hate and destroy society are currently doing just that! Look around you.... the USA is in worse condition now then ever! 100% free speech is the only way to correct these issues. There will always be bad actors but the good should also be able to speak without concern of oppressive terms.

[@dunhoppe]

Ask yourself the other question, what happens if you censor those who supposedly hate society. The answer is the same

[@swlc5555]

I've thought about the same thing and it's troubling. It's like I'm fine with free speech if the whack jobs using it to tear down the country are always a fringe minority that will have no impact. But how are people suppose to react who love this country, the Constitution and all the freedoms we have here when the opposition becomes more than a fringe minority? When about half the population decide they hate this country, it's history, and the Constitution. And those views are supported by the mainstream news and entertainment media. Would the founders of this country believe it's okay to suspend certain aspects of the Constitution in order to prevent the destruction of the country?

[@MijoShrek]

​@@dunhoppethey reveal themselves and their bad ideas. We engage with other ideas, and let the best ones stand up for themselves as they naturally do. The bad takes and ideas have finally been teetering and falling by the wayside. For they have shown no outcomes to actually come into fruition that created any meaningful nor positive change for the better. Just more negative bad behaviors from bad actors, opportunist, culture wars hustlers of the perpetual victimhood academy of intellectuals that perpetuate hostile environment that make no sense to be the core of our issues. But rather, just distractions steering us away from trying to fix our real issues that affect it all. Not just a minority group.

[@godspirate6250]

You can say anything you want, but there is also accountability in what you say. To fix the, "cancel culture", you have to stop coddling the ones who are doing the cancels. I mean, who gave them that kind of power? That kind of power comes with understanding AND experience, not standing up for a unique idea and shoving and pushing it on others.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

The US GOVERNMENT has given them that power. Remember THIS regime wanted a Ministry of Truth department - a US canceling of people.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

Wealthy, powerful, popular narcissists have full control.

[@Kenneth2413]

Exactly! When someone shows up to talk at a college campus to talk they ought to start bringing a bullhorn so they can talk over anyone who tries to shout over them to keep them from talking. They also ought to have security there that escorts people out if they do nothing but try to talk over the speaker. Make the tickets free so anyone can go, but have rules written and posted that say that if the rules aren't followed then you violated the terms of the ticket and are subject to being escorted out. Then put trying to talk over the speaker and keeping people in the audience from interacting as the speaker as 2 of the things that the rules prohibit.

[@godspirate6250]

@@Kenneth2413 On college campuses, 99% of the students are old enough to know better. If they feel they have to protest, then they should protest OUTSIDE the gathering, not n it. I don't mind a good debate, but they are not debating, they are violently parroting what they have been indoctrinated to do. Most don't even mind walking out, thinking it's a proud standing of what they believe in, not knowing, they actually look ridiculous.

[@anthonysabella9637]

Just remember, you hurt their feelings with facts or your opinions. You are threatening to them because you don’t align with their values and beliefs. This new generation has gotten free speech to be taboo

[@Brian--0311]

I'm just an ol' yt cis male (last 4-5 years) I don't identify with that title. It's been Forced upon me. I've experienced every type of Cancellation right here, in the comments and lost my KZbin acct??? I don't remember how many times! I only Hope the people cancelling me... Enjoy the same experience some day Moi

[@thierrylandrieu7441]

I think Marc Twain used to talk very freely about the number of times he had his ass kicked when he was young . That taught him HOW to connect with reality.

[@alchobum]

This new generation has been lied to and they need to understand that before they can let go.

[@jpete3027666]

We had a dinner party this summer. We live in the Seattle area and it’s mostly liberals around here. I loved the look of disgust on their faces when they saw the Ayn Rand books on our bookshelf.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

I like political philosophy, even when I don't agree with it. But Ayn Rand is just a bad philosopher. There are conservative political philosophers of substance, but she isn't one.

[@jerrycrawford7688]

🤣

[@jackie8846]

Real talk 💯

[@GregInHouston2]

I've seen many instances of people that need to listen who admonish others for not listening.

[@poodlescone9700]

I followed Peterson's college lectures years before he become controversial. It is ridiculous that telling people to be responsible for their own lives is somehow "right wing".

[@alexf8309]

Thanks for your constant REAL journalism stossle. It's much appreciated

[@markcatanzaro9699]

John, you are THE BEST, MOST HONEST, MOST UNBIASED JOURNALIST in America today! When you post, i stop whatever I'm doing, and watch IMMEDIATELY

[@jewelsverne9027]

Report the school administrators who came up with the bias hotline to the bias hotline.

[@ericmadsen7470]

The world needs more critical free thinkers so that they will be able to think for themselves and be able to question with boldness, speak without fear and to hold on to the truth.

[@kinjunranger140]

The vast majority of people are not cancel culture. They even discussed how a small group of people can silence huge amounts of people.

[@jeast417]

Not hiring someone who is ideologically apposed to you is not cancel culture.

[@palaverprattle2996]

Once upon a time, there used to be a sign behind almost every bar that read, "No Sales Pitching, Proselytizing, or Politicking on premises!"

[@cqking7465]

Yes, it is.

[@jimmyagnew2184]

Then what is it,bias, maybe?

[@Viconius]

@@jimmyagnew2184 It's standards, protecting the workplace, having principles and doing proper business. There are thousands of labor/workplace laws all defining rules that are expected to be followed. None of them include canceling/revenge/persecution. Cancel Culture is not a protected workplace practice. You can't do it, and you can't insist others do it. The Woke continue to push moral relativism so that they can define words anyway they wish and whenever they wish. They practice the scummy side of lawyering where double talk, legalize, and lies are used to win arguments and manipulate people with the power of the Government to enforce laws.

[@Viconius]

@@cqking7465 No it's not. You are confusing it with discrimination. Cancel Culture is an act of aggression not a protected class of person, religion, sex or ethnicity. It's a behavior like murder or assault which is often illegal regardless of employment requirements. So, saying that you can't work somewhere because of standards isn't Cancel Culture where the response is to dox, threaten, intimidate or harass. Saying/hearing the word NO isn't violence and it's simply an important part of life.

[@Bay0Wulf]

It is a very useful thing to Simply Not Care About a Random Person’s “Feelings”. I engage in a lot of conversation where “I feel” suddenly crops up and I find it best to immediately state; “I don’t care about your ‘feelings’.

[@badcat5667]

💯🎯‼️The girl is right on‼️🙏🏼⚖️🇺🇸🦅😻

[@No_name860]

Good. We need more of this!

[@scallywag1716]

This topic is critically important and must continue to be discussed and driven forward. If not, our society is doomed.

[@pkendlers]

"Get up stand up. Stand up for your rights. Get up stand up. Don't give up the fight" - Bob Marley.

[@limitedhangoutlive]

People should be spam calling the bias line and mocking whoever decides to answer it.

[@Matt14785]

I dropped out of college in 2015 (for the second time) because I was sick of the extreme left narrative being shoved down my throat. College is supposed to be a place that encourages freedom of expression and spirited debate, not stifle it... Or so I thought. Fast forward 4 years and I'm joining the military. I now had the opportunity to get a full ride scholarship AND get paid while I take classes. However, I chose NOT to pursue it. People call me crazy, but when I contacted the community college I attended (shout-out to Holyoke Community College) the "Dean of Social Services" said I would have to undergo diversity training in order to gain re-entry into the school. At the end of the email were her pronouns. It was at this point that I said "Fuck it" and never looked back.

[@donquijote6030]

Pay no mind to those who promote the arcane propaganda that one must get a degree to be successful. That is not true in any regard.

[@33Donner77]

Outside of advanced degrees in STEM courses or a legitimate law degree, college is unnecessary to succeed in life. I''ve discovered that in my lifetime.

[@sven888]

The pronouns are indeed straight out of idiocracy.

[@changkihong1377]

keep your head up you don't have to be successful so called college degrees. There are plenty good jobs don't require any four year and even community college degree. In reality most of my friends work don't require college degrees I know one of person work as carpenter graduated in four years Australian college. Only college degree worth are doctor lawyers nurses and teachers.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

Does trying to cancel 81 million votes encourage freedom of expression to you?

[@krllydwntoro]

I'm really 100% agree with you, becuase that's what happening if you don't speak up and defended free speech even if it's hateful. I really want to fight for people who are really tyring to censored me. Me as the Indonesian people we need to stop all this censorship, Thank you Rikki.

[@DoctorPrepperMD]

How can the country not see our slide into fascism?

[@slammerband2009]

Great REAL reporting, John. Thanks!

[@cachais]

Young and Smart! I hope more college students follow her!

[@StealthGTI]

Free speech is great. It makes it easier for me to identify who I want as associates. Likewise, companies should be able to use someone's declarations to determine whether they want said person at their company. Sure, there's room for grace. Someone who said something stupid at age 16 may have changed a lot ten years later. But someone who said something vile this year probably is unworthy of a job at a prestigious company today. The first amendment restricts the government, not society.

[@user-yq5wd1vj6v]

Ministry...sounds so pious and correct Every time I speak truth.... crickets

[@catherinegaugh6411]

Good for her. I hope she is right. that courage is contagious.

[@flickboogers9325]

The problem is we have too many labels ... Started off with skin color and that's taboo now it's sexuality and also politics. Other labels labeling mental health are another issue. Some people are too dumb to understand that these labels are for example provided by psychologist because this is what keeps them in business. The more labels they can throw out there the more educated they seem.

[@franknuzzo2576]

Being a free speech champion doesn’t mean you hire idiots.

[@eralddavid6892]

Yeahh. I honestly don't know why John didn't mentioned that. We still have morality even when wr become Libertarian.

[@aliendroneservices6621]

*_Condé Nast_* has no choice. Only idiots apply.

[@paulwooton4390]

No one is infringing on the right to protest. Employers are simply expressing their right to hire only people who bring value to their businesses.

[@MayorMcheese12]

@@paulwooton4390exactly. It doesn’t necessarily go against free speech. You can say whatever you want, doesn’t mean cant not hire you because of the stupid things you say or do. I wouldnt want some protestor working for me. Shows immaturity.

[@rucker69]

Qualify your statement. Because that sounds suspiciously vague.

[@bquade70]

Always great stuff John! 👍👍

[@Kevin_747]

"Bias response line" I would love reading that call log and see whats troubling the callers.

[@whollymindless]

Another thing we need to remember is that speech isn't (often) the person. That a statement made stands on its own and that the person is still a person and ideas may change. An action or statement may be wrong, offensive or disagreeable but the person is a person and treating them like "nothing" or worse is wrong.

[@spawnjg]

Thing is, you can have free speech but still lose your job. There are some things you just can't say.

[@jazzyj7834]

Sure, but 99% of the things that people are getting 'cancelled' over are harmless things that happen to be considered political now, which weren't 10 years ago. If you told my grandpa that shortly after his death, people would start losing their ability to get a job because they were a conservative he'd roll his eyes and say "my generation fought too hard for that to never happen. It'd take a long time of negligence from the patriots to get to that point."

[@spawnjg]

Thats 100% true, I didn't mean political things. I mean like, I hate "insert people here" Or shouting fire in a crowded theatre etc. @@jazzyj7834

[@wrongthinker843]

Like saying who keeps funding this crap?

[@kinjunranger140]

Of course you can. The employer has free speech also.

[@urmailman]

Like the truth?

[@illusivenick]

Thank God 🙏 there's hope.

[@jfwal3027]

Thank you Sir for all the information and opinions you are allowing to be spoken

[@lberhold]

The solution is to not attend the extreme pro-authoritarian Universities. There are plenty of other Universities.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

I would LOVE for them to say no more of this crap. They are doing this TO themselves... frankly I will LOVE it when they report they are not doing well financially and they will.

[@travisb1757]

Sadly, most universities are taken over by the marxist fascists.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

What do you think of Donald Trump trying to cancel 81 million voters?

[@Rhgeyer278]

Finding something to strive for and fight for, regardless of the circumstances, is crucial. Once you set the right goal, decision-making becomes easy and enjoyable. I'm also grateful for starting investments in my early 30s, moving from an average lifestyle to earning over 34k monthly. Diversifying my portfolio with savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and high-yield dividend funds has been key. Having a financial advisor like Samuel Peter Descovich has been invaluable. Working with a professional can help prepare for financial struggles. Don't let fear hold you back from realizing your dreams!

[@Ashleycorrie8494]

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[@RandalHebert]

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[@MichealTanner141]

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[@GaryWinstonBrown]

It’s unfortunate most people don’t have such information, I don’t really blame people who panic cos lack of information can be a big hurdle. I’ve been making more than $65k passively investing with Samuel Peter Descovich, and I don’t have to do much work. It doesn’t matter if the market is crashing, I will always make good profit returns.

[@allympili3437]

-I just looked up his name on Google and saw his impressive resume. I consider myself lucky to have found this comment area..

[@Thunder_Dome45]

For a country with freedom of speech there are a lot of "shut up" going around.

[@benjaminshropshire2900]

I think the proper reaction might be along the lines of "go ahead and cancel me; it makes it easy to figure out who I want to *not* work for".

[@seandelap8587]

Facts are facts deal with it

[@wilburgraham6260]

Yes, deal with it, heard that one before too 🤔🤣

[@cisium1184]

I went to Wesleyan University (the school they made the movie _PCU_ about) in the late 80's. Political Correctness was becoming more popular then where all this cancel nonsense started. We few conservatives on campus spoke out against PC culture and warned it was heading in a bad direction - I called it "neo-Victorianism" then. The crucial difference about those days was, we were usually allowed to speak. Sure, most people argued with us, sometimes shouted at us or called us names, but only very rarely did they try to silence us. Today I look at cancel culture with a mixed sense of dread and perverse satisfaction that our predictions were so accurate. What does worry me, as a conservative, is seeing voices on the right, that have usually supported free speech, now embracing the cancellation of others for support Hamas. Mind I stand with Israel 100%, and I think everyone should. But nonviolent speech must be tolerated, no matter how stupid or reprehensible I think it is. It disturbs me how quickly some on the right are willing to abandon that principle when it is exercised for a cause they oppose.

[@briant7265]

She said what I did was a micraggresion, so I offered her a micro apology. - Andrew Branca

[@peterbrunsgaard2012]

My favorite journalist! ⚡️⚡️

[@joelpierce3940]

You should see the Army.

[@lovejumanji5]

Remember that there is the the phenomenon of one toxic person in the work place , bringing the whole team down….it’s a thing .

[@WaynJul]

Keep us informed.

[@williambilyeu9801]

Fortunately, I went to college where and at a time when dissent was allowed (Indiana University Southeast, a branch of of Indiana University). I never censored myself and I debated several of my professors and teachers. It has been years, but I hope and pray that it is still that way. I did shut down a few other students that tried to restrict my speech by objecting to words that I used. (The major one was an objection to my use of the word "appeasement.)

[@TheBuildKing]

The First Amendment is a restriction on the government. Individuals and private businesses can choose who they want to associate with and who they want to hire.

[@chronick6142]

What if a company doesn't want to hire women, gays, Muslims or black people? That is not okay, right? Where do you draw the line?

[@carlsteffens]

​@@chronick6142got some bad news for you, if they don't want to hire them, they won't hire them, even now with discrimination laws, you cannot legislate to hire people they don't want to higher, they can just say, they've hired a better candidate, their resume wasn't what we were looking for, there's a million excuses a business own can use

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

They ARE acting as a government though. Just like she said the college had a mechanism to report people - which is childish in my opinion.

[@joeykahng6219]

@@chronick6142it’s why the 14th Amendment was installed into our constitution. Ya got your first amendment, but it’s followed by guidelines and then for more detailed guidelines, it’s left up to the individual states to create legislation, so long it does not infringe on the Federal Constitution.

[@MrDpracing]

​@@HollyMoore-wo2mhit is also against the law depending on thier enforcement policy. They can have the snitch line for research but the minute and consequences are handed out because of it it violates the 1st amendment. Most colleges recieve government funds and are by proxy and extension of the government, therefore they are limited by the constitution in what they can and can't do.

[@TheRiverPirate13]

John, Rikki was like a lot of us before she said no more. We self-censor ourselves so we don't have to deal with the blowback. I personally ACTIVELY avoid politics, religion and commentary about social issues on my IG and FB accounts. Just scenic pictures and High Seas Piracy! 😉🏴‍☠ Even my YT videos are about fun stuff like cruises, rum and fun...plus High Seas Piracy! I think debate works better in person as a lot of the censoring happens on social media.

[@swlc5555]

I think the censoring even happens here. I'm sure most everyone has noticed how there might be twelve replies to a post, yet you click on the replies and maybe only six of them show up. I can't think of any other reason than censorship that these posts are not allowed to be seen by others.

[@TheRiverPirate13]

@@swlc5555 Your right! I’ve noticed that.

[@JockNmystyle-]

This is how you know the country is screwed. This should never be happening here.

[@user-pv9ev3nu6s]

Was the 2020 election rigged?

[@leonardzeh8449]

I agree 100% I always tell people that it great that we live in a country that you can offend and be offended it’s called free speech

[@TikTokfan8]

Good to see and hear and a grounded young person...too many have not bought that cup of reality on life yet ! Way too many

[@jamessmith785]

Just stay off social media and 90% of these problems will go away.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

People want to pretend they're a celebrity until the character assassination that goes with it begins. I'm so glad I've always been a wallflower.

[@seandelap8587]

Cancel cancel culture

[@carpo719]

Gen x here. Proud of my peeps

[@craigmitchell905]

bravo!!!!!

[@jayfinn6698]

My son went to UMASS for 6 years shut this mouth every day but when he came home he was so pissed beyond belief. He is 36 years old now and more MAGA then ever.

[@peppolobuondelmonte]

You must know that there are two ways of contesting; the one by the law, the other by force. The first method is proper to men, the second to beasts. But because the first is frequently not sufficient, it is necessary to have recourse to the second. This method has been frequently taught to princes by ancient writers, who describe how Achilles and many other princes of old, were given to the Centaur of Chiron to nurse; meaning simply that, as they had one who was both man and beast, they would be able to avail themselves of both natures. A prince, therefore, being compelled knowingly to adopt the beast, ought to choose the fox and the lion; because the lion cannot defend himself against snares, and the fox cannot defend himself against wolves; therefore, it is necessary to be a fox, to discover the snares, and a lion to terrify the wolves. Those who rely simply on the lion do not understand what they are about. -Machiavelli, Niccolo "The Prince"* Concerning How Princes Should Keep Faith *aka "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius" abridged

[@davidketchell5900]

Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@andygause8053]

Another crazy story comes from my alma mater, USC: a well-respected business professor was suspended for saying a Mandarin word that sounded like the N-word. SC never said how many students complained and ignored a list of hundreds of people stating they wanted him back.

[@debanydoombringer1385]

I saw that. Some black kid got offended by the Mandarin word for "uh" in English. So stupid.

[@SpeakerBuilder]

Ok, I'm actually with her, and really, if you think about it, one could argue we are far better off as a culture if we know what others actually really think. We are then able to engage in discussions with others we don't agree with and learn from them why they think as they do, and if we disagree, we then have a chance to argue our point, and perhaps persuade others to our point of view.

[@DJJ81]

Those students should be able to say any horrific thing they want and support whatever terrorists they want, and anyone else is free to shun them entirely from society for it. Cancel culture is different than consequences

[@Objective-Observer]

My apologies for responding to your comment with this statement. MY posts are being ghosted, and I'm testing to see if I can respond to a comment, and be seen. My statement: With Stossel STARTING on the liberal side, he is forgetting: the older generations grew up under the system of SOCIETAL SHAME AND GUILT, WHEN YOUTH SCREWED UP. You WERE shamed for making a 'Mistake,' and YOU LEARNED TO NOT DO THAT AGAIN. It wasn't GRACE, it was societal EDUCATION THAT SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS WERE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Ie. Sex before marriage, Alternative lifestyles, NOT LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS, not Sacrificing luxuries until you can afford them, NOT RESPECTING THEIR ELDERS, not using good etiquette and manners, refusing to be responsible for themselves after 18, refusing to adhere to a Religious doctrine/ or foundation, etc. Cancel Culture REPLACED THAT SOCIETAL SHAME SYSTEM; HOWEVER, IT TURNED THE ROLES OF EDUCATOR INTO A MOCKERY. NOW THE YOUNG KNOW BETTER, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LIVE TO THE HIGHER STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR, FROM THE OLDER GENERATIONS. They want to have as much sex as the want, with as many partners as they can. They don't WANT kids, and fight for their right to murder their own progeny. They don't WANT marriage, unless they can get as much as possible from their partner, NOT how much are they willing to do to help their partner. They don't want to be Social-Sexually Normal, because you don't stand out in a crowd. THEY REFUSE TO SACRIFICE, AND DON'T CARE IF THEY LIVE IN DEBT. They spit on religion with all sorts of irrational hate filled terms. TOO MANY OF THEM REFUSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES, UNTIL THEY HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO CARRY THEM. TOO MANY OF THEM ARE SIMPLY OVER GROWN CHILDREN. The younger Post Millenials are learning from the Early Millenials that their lifestyle BECOMES A LONELY EXISTENCE WHEN YOU TURN 40. No one wants to marry you, except someone just like yourself who is looking for a wealthier person to exploit. For Women, you are too old to have children, which is what Men Who Marry want. Older men want younger women, because they elevate the Man's status. The clubs and bars don't really want you there, because you make the place look old and tired, not a hip and happening place. Your music isn't played in the clubs and on the radio anymore. Most of them don't party anymore, because their Doctor told them to stop or die. Or they Grew UP, took resposiblity for themselves and must care for their families: either their children, or their parents, and in some cases, both. Millenials and Older Post Millenials wasted their young adult years, and once their bodies are used up, but they still have 20-30 more years of life: THEY FINALLY WAKE UP TO THE REALITY: THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WERE RIGHT. Younger Post Millenials are chosing to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors. As to Post Millenials being fired/not hired for openly supporting Terrorists: THAT IS A GOOD THING. THAT IS SOCIETAL SHAME REPLACING CANCEL CULTURE. THEY MADE A VERY BAD DECISION; THEY ARE BEING PUNISHED FOR MAKING THAT MISTAKE, AND THEY WILL NEVER MAKE THAT MISTAKE, AGAIN. WE SHOULD NOT REWARD DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR.

[@ge2719]

thats the same logic these nut jobs use though, they claim what they are doing is just "consequences of your actions". only the bar for what requires someone's life to be ruined is far far far far lower for them.

[@debanydoombringer1385]

I agree. Nobody is preventing them from speaking. In fact the opposite. They did exercise their free speech and allowed future employers to know what they believe. Shockingly people of that group or that have business with clients of that group withdrew job offers because they don't want to hire people that hate them which is also their right. Little disappointed in his take on that. The Libertarian view is each is free to associate or not associate.

[@epicduck703]

Is this America ?? Lol what! who allowed the snakes in and slip through the cracks. How did we allow this ?

[@jackorbit7258]

Amen, people. Wake up!