University of Nebraska Lincoln introduces new 'non-negotiable respect' policy

[OneGrassRoot]

61. Would you say you lean toward libertarianism?

That isn't a dirty word to me, btw. In a perfect world there'd be no need for labels or generalizations, but in order to communicate I haven't found a way to avoid it. Of course the disclaimer that labels and generalizations don't apply to EVERYONE in a group should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway.

Anyway, there are various worldviews that are predominant now; I don't know how long they've been in place but it's most evident to me with the advent of the Internet and the contrast between the views has become glaringly stark with the growth of social media.

(I'm in the middle of grieving, so I don't have the focus or energy to reply to the various comments here as I truly want to do; this is a great discussion, one that's vitally important, imho. I'll bookmark it and come back to it in a couple of weeks.)

I definitely hear you and others regarding the slippery slope and how so much in this human social experience is subjective. What is painful/hurtful/offensive to one person doesn't even register on another person's radar.

Yet what I and many others have experienced re: stalking, doxxing, etc. in the online realm (which overflows into physical daily life and isn't restricted to the online space...it all blurs together now anyway) is unacceptable. The general online culture is toxic and violent. There is very little civility, and it gets downright nasty, violent and threatening. Certain groups have experienced this more than others (women and, most especially women of color).

I ask if you feel you lean toward libertarianism because that is a vibe (sorry, can't think of perfect words right now) and worldview that is prevalent online. I actually feel that perspective is baked into the Internet, if you will, because -- and this is simply a fact -- the vast majority of online real estate was built by younger, white men with a more "hands off," libertarian approach to life.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUNGER, WHITE MEN. That isn't a diss. And I fully recognize that even young, white men -- with or without socioeconomic advantages -- can feel attacked and bullied by individuals or groups of people. The experience of institutional, systemic racism and bigotry, however, isn't as prevalent in the history of this country for white men.

It's just that each of us as a group lives a certain experience (in general) than people who identify and are identified with other groups. That experience greatly influences our perspective on things and indeed our worldview.

I take a triage approach: I want to address and try to prevent the existing, most dangerous forms of bullying (physical violence and hate which so easily incites physical violence). There is a spectrum to bullying and, yes, it can be subjective.

But to have the discussions about what is or isn't acceptable to an institution or a society needs to happen within a culture of respect. When there are zero boundaries -- on both ends of the spectrum, btw -- it creates more toxicity.

I'm rambling...sorry...but I just don't see where the actual guidelines, to which I responded here, should be problematic for anyone.

Like I said above though, I'm going to come back to all of it because this is very important to me.