Some traditions aren't worth keeping

Nothing screams “traditional values” like provocative, expletive-laden messages scribbled in sidewalk chalk.

The Traditional Youth Network’s calls to “fuck feminism,” modernism and consumerism appeared all over campus sidewalks last weekend, but were quickly scrubbed away in time to hide IU’s controversial side from orientation students.

After watching their 20-minute video on YouTube, I can tell the founders of IU’s chapter, Thomas Buhls and Jacob Forst, seem really excited to bring Christian Orthodox traditional values to IU’s campus, along with their love of Vladmir Putin and their hatred of consumerist, individualist America.

If you recognize Buhls’ name, it is because he wrote a letter to the editor that was printed in Monday’s paper with dubious racial implications.

Wrapped up in their desire to fight back against liberalism is the indictment of feminists, homosexuals and those involved in interracial or intercultural relationships as bringing about the dissolution of family, society and, if left unchecked, humanity in general.

As a feminist, I’m used to hearing about how I’m ruining the world. At this point, it’s almost funny.

The basic thesis of the entire TradYouth philosophy is that “traditional” (i.e. male-led) families are more stable, that marriages within racial and cultural boundaries are stronger and that the homosexual lifestyle is inherently “unsustainable.”

They object to anything “not rooted in tradition ... in proven, fundamental ways of living.”

So how traditional are we talking here?

Before 1993, when raping your wife wasn’t a crime in the United States? 

How about we go back to the 1950s, when housewives were so miserable many spent their days in a tranquilizer-induced stupor?

Wasn’t it fun when married American women couldn’t hold property before the 19th century?

Or maybe we should trade women as chattel again. Is that traditional enough for you?

Buhls says he fears a family run by a single person as “it doesn’t create a functioning and happy family unit.” Unless that person is a man?

As far as staying within cultural boundaries so that your family “looks like you” — this feels like the best way to say “racial purity” without actually saying “racial purity.”
 
TradYouth’s fundamental objection with gays is that they cannot reproduce. I wonder if they think sterile couples are worthless, too.

So these traditionalists want to simultaneously encourage a focus on family while denying the rights of interracial, multicultural and LGBTQ families. They want to strengthen community, as long as that community excludes feminists, LGBTQ-identified individuals and anyone of a different race.

I feel ridiculous dignifying TradYouth’s philosophy with a response, but their video is structured in a way that makes these outrageous ideas seem reasonable. They’re not intolerant, they’re traditional. They hate consumerism and capitalism, just like many of their disaffected peers. They just want us to have stronger community ties and stop the alienation of me, me, me.

It is, in truth, a philosophy of fear and selfishness that strives to place white Christian men unquestionably at the helm of society. Straight white males who feel isolated will especially gravitate towards this message. Why wouldn’t a such a man want to go back to the values of yesteryear? What does he have to lose?

But seriously, guys? You’re idolizing Putin? Putin? The guy who stole elections, ensures nay-sayers disappear and never wears a shirt?

Society isn’t perfect, but going back to a “traditional” lifestyle, especially TradYouth’s interpretation of what tradition is, would be dangerous and oppressive for the majority of Americans.

Liberalism isn’t necessarily a garden of roses and sunshine, but “traditionalism” is most certainly a pile of garbage.

­— casefarr@indiana.edu