Now I understand the importance of having one’s own home library, filled with physical books and texts to help the next generation find its way in a censored world. Those who know and love America understand that cancel culture is the greatest threat to our First Amendment. I, for one, know all too well how it feels to be silenced, and the consequences.

Facebook has been under fire for its censorship practices, which include dubious “fact-checking” and unexplained post errors. But my censorship story goes way back, even before Donald Trump was elected president. Back then, the mindset of these leftists was already set in stone — erase anything they dislike at all costs. It’s the one trait they have in common and the one behavior that has been allowed to flourish for far too long. During that time, as my social media presence began to soar, so did the censorship squad.

Now, to be clear, I’m not talking about trolls, nasty emails, or open forum debate. Humans sometimes interact in this way. But there are times when the conversations become so fiery that a leftist would run away crying, hitting the “report” button on his way out. Growing up, we were taught not to run from a fight. But today’s men may as well burn your house down and call the police on you right after. But I digress…

After enough “reports,” my account would be put in the usual virtual timeout most affectionately known as Facebook Jail. This has happened about every other month, but usually for several months in a row leading up to any presidential election. There’s not a day that goes by that a post that I either authored myself or shared from someone else is “fact-checked” (by someone who isn’t American), flagged, or reported. At this point, I could post that the sky is indeed blue. Social media — and those who worship it — would find a reason to formally dispute it.

But this column isn’t so much about Facebook’s failures in creating a harmonious community as it is addressing a growing mindset that is akin to a mental illness. What I and so many other outspoken Patriots are at war with is a kind of pathology where the opposed desire to erase anything that they deem unworthy. The same people calling for diversity and inclusion are the ones holding the pitchfork and the torch, ready to snuff out anyone “different.” To them, conformity is king.

Many of the members of this “censorship squad” often chant their support for black lives and black voices. But as far as I’m concerned, one kind of black voice isn’t allowed everywhere. It’s the same for so many of my own colleagues who, like myself, have been silenced. The safe spaces for debate are growing smaller and smaller. I take it that this new generation was raised without learning how to disagree or “coexist” — as they like to slap on the bumpers of their Volkswagen Beetles.

I wouldn’t call myself the perfect student of history, but I remember enough of it to see a sort of déjà vu happening where segregated restaurants and water fountains exist. Today, we are effectively segregated by our ideas — not because there are bad ones or good ones, but because one faction of your Facebook friends are afraid of them. I take it that some people are afraid to think differently and respond by shutting out the world. That’s no different than a little boy who storms off to his room only to be entertained by his favorite things.

Sadly, this is no longer contained by the Internet. As we have seen with violent protests over the past few years, leftists and progressives are no longer able to disagree in person. And if they can’t block you, they’ll beat you, remove you from their store, divorce you, or write a letter to your employer to have you terminated — something I have experienced more than once.

Censorship isn’t just about social media. No, this is about society and is straight out of a Marxist playbook that you can still purchase on Amazon today.