We all know the nanny-state zealots are making a mockery out of
democracy. Nonetheless, Oxford University's move to jump aboard the snowflake
express could mark an all-time low. Mirroring the House of Commons,
Bercow-inspired boffins have voted to scrap clapping for silent jazz hands. In
an age of wokeness and call-out culture, the policy has been passed due to the
'triggering' impacts of loud noises on students with anxiety and autism. However,
far from evoking a 'hear, hear', this cringeworthy show of 'inclusion' has
sparked slow, sardonic applause among the general public.
Most are fed up of snowflakes reconstructing norms to meet the
sensibilities of a tiny minority. Despite Oxford's claims, this jazz hands claptrap
is not 'inclusive', 'accessible' nor 'lovely'. It is downright derogatory.
Being blind, I wouldn't have a clue whether the audience were waving at me.
Moreover, being treated differently goes against everything I stand for. To me,
my visual impairment is irrelevant. It does not change the fact that I am a
strong, independent and career driven young woman. I've experienced what it
feels like to be underestimated, patronised and blanked by others. But rather
than conceding to the self-fulfilling prophecy, these preconceptions have only galvanized
me to be the most successful person I can possibly be.
So what do these sanctimonious do-gooders go and do? They seek to highjack
the disability movement, by mollycoddling and portraying disabled people as
fragile and uber-sensitive. Frankly, if we're not careful, the snowflake
express could not only derail progress; it could reinforce outdated images and
breed more prejudice.
This cotton-wool generation of students needs to get a grip for life
in the real world. And if we want to be inclusive, we shouldn't have to
denounce a universal form of appreciation.
