No dissent allowed

Re: No dissent allowed; teacher sidelined, Tom Blackwell, Jan. 21

The 17th century brought us the Age of Enlightenment where intellectual ideas were welcomed and progress ensued on every level of human behaviour. We are now in the age of obfuscation. There can be no discussion, no nuance, no questioning of opinions. Just follow the lemmings off the cliff of the latest mass hysteria.

Having watched the video of this Waterloo Region District School Board meeting, I could only surmise that democracy and freedom of opinion are truly endangered. In this environment, the latest cause de jour is generally lacking in any critical thinking. If this board had bothered to educate itself on the complexity of the issue of medically transitioning to another gender, they would have learned that the research on young adolescents transitioning is nascent at best. Until more information is available every adult should welcome debate, factual discussion and, without fail, our society must stop cancelling those who question, and start embracing the learning experience. Maureen Arnaud, Bath, Ont.