Ideological ‘Red Wave’ emerging amid America’s moral meltdown; Americans pushing past cancel culture

OPINION:

Something is happening in America. What began as quiet murmurings and whispered complaints quickly grew into a crescendo of perturbation, consternation and dismay.

A growing number of Americans have pushed past their fear of cancel culture and are taking to school board meetings, social media and other avenues to try to stop the ethical insanity that has been closing its grip on our culture.

The reaction has become as palpable as the ethical pandemonium fueling it. And it’s frankly unsurprising, as it doesn’t take much effort to see the depravity unfolding before our eyes. Footage of a topless transgender model on the White House’s South Lawn this month stands out as just one example of how pervasive these issues have become. 

Even the Biden administration admonished those involved, pledging to ban the model and others who participated in the antics. The White House admitted the now-viral actions were “inappropriate and disrespectful.”

Then there’s President Biden’s claim that those who disagree with medically transitioning children are somehow taking an immoral position. He recently had quite a bit to say on the matter when asked about laws aimed to protect kids from life-altering gender surgeries. 

“Our fight is far, far from over because we have some hysterical and, I would argue, prejudiced people who are engaged in all that you see going on around the country,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s an appeal to fear, and it’s an appeal that is totally, thoroughly unjustified, and ugly.”

But Americans aren’t having it. A new Gallup Poll found the majority of adults — 55% — believe “changing one’s gender” is “morally wrong,” up from 51% in 2021. Just 43% called it acceptable.

And the vast majority of the country — 69% — believes transgender athletes should compete only on teams comporting with their sex at birth; 62% said the same in 2021.

This is, of course, only one example in the multitude of issues, spectacles and conundrums the nation faces, though it’s hard to look away from those statistics when juxtaposing them against Mr. Biden’s comments. 

Regardless, the deeper issues run much deeper. Gallup recently released another survey that is much more sweeping and descriptive — one that should send shock waves throughout liberal circles. 

The polling firm found Americans are collectively the most socially conservative they’ve been since at least 2012, with profound shifts unfolding over the past two years. Yes, you read that correctly. The red wave so many predicted in the last election cycle seems to have shown up to some degree on the ideological front. 

The results found 38% of Americans described themselves as “conservative” or “very conservative” when asked to self-identify on social issues. That same proportion was just 30% in 2021. And the share calling themselves “liberal” or “very liberal” was at 29% in the latest survey, coming down from 34% two years ago.

Young people are also increasingly calling themselves conservative on social issues, which should be alarming to a party that considers this cohort a key pillar of its existence.

So, what in the world is unfolding? For most observers tuning in, the answer is simple. The debate over critical race theory, gender madness, public schools and the general obsessive push for far-left values in Hollywood, media and universities has reached its climax.

A notable cohort feels tired, frustrated and activated — and is starting to retract. Brands that once thought it safe to wade into contentious waters, such as Disney, Bud Light and Target, are learning the hard way that the public will no longer remain silent and pretend the insanity isn’t happening.

Outside of abortion — an issue yielding complex survey data after last year’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and the ever-elusive emotions surrounding the balance of personal freedom and government protection of the unborn — people are openly shifting to the right on social issues.

It’s not clear what will happen next, but these shifts are monumental and come as the nation prepares for a sure-to-be-contentious 2024 presidential election season. 

Now, more than ever, conservatives and those concerned with America’s social-moral fabric should thoughtfully ponder how to seize the moment, balance truth and love, and speak sanity back into an ever-confused culture. 

• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” He is the author of four books.