There is a concept in the realm of Critical Theory, or what is referred to broadly as Critical Social Justice Theory; i.e., “Wokeness”; called “Epistemic Injustice”. This is concept holds that the experiences, perspectives, and opinions of so-called marginalized people are excluded from mainstream discourse. Hence, “Epistemic Justice” can only be attained by giving priority and enhanced validity to the perspectives of marginalized groups in any discussion on any topic. It should be obvious why this is a rubbish concept; marginalization does not, in and of itself, equate to greater validity or importance. But this concept has been taken as sacrosanct nonetheless.
This, I think, is why public discourse has become so topsy-turvy. Previously excluded voices have not only been included, they have been uplifted above all other voices and are treated with absolutely undue deference. Mainstream, majority, predominant views are required to exhibit benevolent obsequiousness towards the views of those on the fringe, and this creates a tendency to lose any sense of proportion. There is, perhaps, no better illustration of this than every issue related to the Trans community. Because of the concept of Epistemic Justice, suddenly the media, businesses, and lawmakers became preoccupied with the public restroom demands of 0.3% of the population, and 99.7% of the population were expected to comply, and comply without a word of objection.
This tendency to discard proportion has now permeated into the discussion, and the policy making, on almost every conceivable issue. Police shootings of unarmed Black people occur in the United States with roughly the same frequency as deaths by lightning strikes, certainly less frequently than police shootings of unarmed Whites, and vastly less frequently than shootings of Black people by other Black people; but Black victims of police shootings are being treated as a national emergency of epidemic scale.
This, of course, also applies to the approach to Covid-19, but if I talk about that, this post will be deleted by Facebook.
Critical Theory, Wokeness, is a contagion that infects and disrupts the ability to think in an organized manner, and rational people can no longer afford to tolerate it.