When you come across a celebrity in public, and it’s someone you adamantly disagree with, do you:
a) ignore them and move on with your life
b) tweet that you saw them and move on with your life
c) say hi and then move on with your life
d) throw something at them and film yourself doing it and publish it everywhere you can
For a lunch-goer in Minneapolis ‘d’ was the answer, and she’s receiving both praise and criticism for her actions.
Tomi Lahren Calls for ‘More Jesus, More Prayer, More Compassion’ After Tragic Florida Shooting
In case you missed it, conservative commentator Tomi Lahren was in Minneapolis for an event and enjoying some brunch with her mother and other family members, when someone got the bright idea to throw a full cup of water on Lahren as she walked by. The incident was completely unprovoked, and to make matters worse, the offender was so convinced this action would make them a hero on the internet, they decided to get the phone out and make sure the whole thing was captured on camera.
Sadly, while some people are defending Tomi, many are not. If you’re one of those who have no problem with tossing stuff at people you disagree with – this one’s for you.
Here’s the video of the incident:
It’s sad that it’s even necessary to break down and explain why, exactly, this despicable act is wrong and shouldn’t even be a thing. For starters, the upside is that some people with opposing views are recognizing that throwing stuff at people you disagree with isn’t cool:
I couldn’t disagree more with @TomiLahren, but I don’t think it’s cool to resort to physical actions to make your point.
The first amendment is a beautiful thing – use it. https://t.co/Yx8obh0aH0
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 23, 2018
But plenty of people still see nothing wrong with the action. Just a quick scroll down the comments section of that tweet from Griffin reveals some disturbing vitriol:
It sure seems that tolerance, free-thinking, open minds, and love are characteristics only employed when someone is in agreement with a particular belief system.
Lahren responded on Twitter by saying she’d be “praying” for the person who attacked her.
The majority of the modern Left is comprised of the most unloving and intolerant people I’ve ever had the displeasure of encountering. I’m praying for you. You need it.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) May 20, 2018
What’s perhaps most disturbing about this entire incident is the fact that the perpetrator clearly expected the digital world to be fully behind her. She was bragging about the act as if it were some heroic deed to save the world, and she was the heroine who finally accomplished the task.
So, brave warrior, the question today for you and your fans is this: was it worth it? Did this action change the world? How are things better now that you acted on your immature impulses? Please explain, because this old school soul just isn’t seeing the benefit to society.
Equally disturbing in the video is how the unnamed male voice in the background can be heard yelling at Lahren, calling her a “bi***” and a “ho” repeatedly. Aren’t we supposed to be living in elevated times, where women are treated equally and with respect? It’s certainly intriguing that those who champion gender equality don’t seem to care much about the issue when it comes to conservative women.
Given the hostility strong women who happen to be conservative often face – like SE Cupp, Dana Loesch, Tomi Lahren to name a few – one would think that if feminism and gender equality were truly the goal, these women would be celebrated at the highest levels. They don’t receive the benefit and support of powerful Hollywood celebrities rushing to praise them at every turn – yet they stand and take the barrage of insults, derogatory and demeaning sexist comments hurled their way. If feminists can’t celebrate someone who faces that kind of hate day in and day out in order to stand up for what they believe in – what good are they? One could argue that the strongest trailblazing women today are conservative women – precisely because they don’t have the red carpet rolled out for them. But that case is rarely, if ever, made by the feminist and gender equality movement.
Why? Because we’re all idolaters. We all worship something, and even those of us who believe in God often succumb to the lure of false idols – and America is so divisive today, in large part, because so many of us worship at the (false) altar of politics. If you’re unsure if you fall into the category of political idolater, here’s a good check: when your political views compel you to physically assault someone simply because you disagree with their opinions, it should be a clear red flag that you value politics over humanity & decency.
This problem is becoming more commonplace, sadly.
When the media attempted to malign President Trump as a racist for calling immigrants “animals” they were quickly called out for misrepresenting his actual statement, which was that MS-13 gang members were animals. Instead of admitting wrongdoing, adherence to a political idol took precedence and instead of a correction we saw people begin calling for an acknowledgement of the human dignity and worth to be found within MS-13 gang members.
When Chick-fil-A stood for traditional marriage, a guy decided to make a statement against the “horrible” corporation and ended up berating a perfectly sweet drive-thru worker.
Bullying and physical intimidation are simply unacceptable tactics, no matter which side of the aisle your political views happen to fall on.
Most saddening in the latest example of this is that people fully expect their behavior to be endorsed, and even though there were some voices like Kathy Griffin who defended Tomi Lahren, it should be universal. But the sad truth is that it’s not – there are plenty of people lining up to defend the and justify the pointless and childish actions taken against Lahren, whose mother and family were also sitting with her.
The people in this video are proud of their actions, when they should be ashamed. People cheered when they should’ve been appalled. They should’ve scolded the people hurling completely unprovoked objects and sexist remarks.
It takes courage to stand up to the mob. Where were the people of courage in that restaurant? Where were the people of virtue? Where were the people of honor?
My challenge to all the Lahren haters, and to everyone currently worshipping the idol of politics – be the voice of virtue. Be the one who goes against the bloodthirsty mob and stands for what is right.
Now is the time to stand up to this sort of behavior, because if we allow it to be accepted now it will only get worse. Do we really want to harken back to the days of burning witches at the stake in the public square? That’s the direction we’re heading if we don’t speak up.
Find the courage to slay your political idols and stand up for what’s right, even if you vehemently disagree with the person. This is a convicting and challenging task, but a necessary one.