2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor: So what really is "social progress?"
Issue date: 12/3/04 Section: Opinions
Dear Editor
John Ferreria's article, The Myth of Social Progress, embodies the groundless and vicious campaign against liberal thought that currently threatens the democratic fabric of our society. Mr. Ferreira agues that the Nazi Party and the Bolsheviks considered themselves socially progressive and compares Hitler and Stalin to modern liberals. He maintains that all of the previously mentioned groups have erroneously claimed to be advocates of social progress and attempts to draw connections between the brutality of Hitler and Stalin and liberal Americans.
Clearly, Mr. Ferreria's argument is intrinsically flawed. Both Hitler and Stalin, although at times operating under the guise of "social progress," aimed to restrict the rights of their citizens. Hitler stripped away the rights of everyone who didn't fulfill the Aryan ideal, while Stalin silenced anyone who opposed his party, and both dictators robbed many individuals of their lives. Those who are socially liberal, pro-choice, and supporters of gay marriage-positions Ferreira finds especially offensive-strive to enhance the rights of American citizens.
Those who support gay marriage aren't attempting to preclude anyone else from marrying, but simply requesting that homosexual relationships be acknowledged in the same capacity as heterosexual unions. And the issue of abortion is not a question of social progress, but of human rights. Women, Mr. Ferreira, will continue to demand full jurisdiction over their own bodies. Anything less is reprehensible and a gross violation of fundamental human rights. Worst of all, Mr. Ferreira makes these hateful assertions without an iota of support. He fails to cite an article or study that has made such links. He fails to incorporate quotes or writings from a member of the conservative party in support of his stance.
Mr. Ferreira doesn't claim to have any special education in sociology, history, or politics. In fact, his byline reads: sports editor. The Myth of Social Progress is a journalistically irresponsible article that appears to be little more than the ramblings of a socially and historically uneducated individual, bearing the ignorance and irrationality that gives the conservative party a bad name.
Laura Van de Berg
Dear Ms. Van de Berg,
I was not comparing modern liberals to the Nazis and Bolsheviks in ideology; I was comparing them by the fact that anyone who opposes them is said to be "on the wrong side of history." What I meant to say in my article was that no one can state with full certainly what "progress" really is. Those on the right (Nazis) and the left (Communists) have been wrong in the past, so they could be wrong today too. What conservatives and liberals need is to realize is that no one owns the truth, and just because someone disagrees with you it doesn't make them ignorant.
John Ferreira
John Ferreria's article, The Myth of Social Progress, embodies the groundless and vicious campaign against liberal thought that currently threatens the democratic fabric of our society. Mr. Ferreira agues that the Nazi Party and the Bolsheviks considered themselves socially progressive and compares Hitler and Stalin to modern liberals. He maintains that all of the previously mentioned groups have erroneously claimed to be advocates of social progress and attempts to draw connections between the brutality of Hitler and Stalin and liberal Americans.
Clearly, Mr. Ferreria's argument is intrinsically flawed. Both Hitler and Stalin, although at times operating under the guise of "social progress," aimed to restrict the rights of their citizens. Hitler stripped away the rights of everyone who didn't fulfill the Aryan ideal, while Stalin silenced anyone who opposed his party, and both dictators robbed many individuals of their lives. Those who are socially liberal, pro-choice, and supporters of gay marriage-positions Ferreira finds especially offensive-strive to enhance the rights of American citizens.
Those who support gay marriage aren't attempting to preclude anyone else from marrying, but simply requesting that homosexual relationships be acknowledged in the same capacity as heterosexual unions. And the issue of abortion is not a question of social progress, but of human rights. Women, Mr. Ferreira, will continue to demand full jurisdiction over their own bodies. Anything less is reprehensible and a gross violation of fundamental human rights. Worst of all, Mr. Ferreira makes these hateful assertions without an iota of support. He fails to cite an article or study that has made such links. He fails to incorporate quotes or writings from a member of the conservative party in support of his stance.
Mr. Ferreira doesn't claim to have any special education in sociology, history, or politics. In fact, his byline reads: sports editor. The Myth of Social Progress is a journalistically irresponsible article that appears to be little more than the ramblings of a socially and historically uneducated individual, bearing the ignorance and irrationality that gives the conservative party a bad name.
Laura Van de Berg
Dear Ms. Van de Berg,
I was not comparing modern liberals to the Nazis and Bolsheviks in ideology; I was comparing them by the fact that anyone who opposes them is said to be "on the wrong side of history." What I meant to say in my article was that no one can state with full certainly what "progress" really is. Those on the right (Nazis) and the left (Communists) have been wrong in the past, so they could be wrong today too. What conservatives and liberals need is to realize is that no one owns the truth, and just because someone disagrees with you it doesn't make them ignorant.
John Ferreira