The antidote to Postmodern/neo-Marxist ideology — and policies implemented within the culture to instantiate its theories — is free speech. It is no mystery why the most severe weapons within political correctness are those which attempt to shut down debate and eliminate opposing points of view, because this ideology is riddled with false narratives, postmodern thinking, and outcome-based “logic”, all of which can be exposed and discredited by knowledgeable spoken truth.
Free speech is undoubtedly the most valuable tenet of Western Civilization; it is based on the Biblical concept of the Logos, and is under relentless assault from the Left. This assault is especially on display on university campuses, where speech contrary to the politically correct dogma is routinely forbidden, or if permitted, generally physically attacked by Social Justice Warriors, using fire alarms, noise machines, yelling of profanities, locking doors, interrupting speakers, forming human chains, etc., all to avoid the expression of dissent to Postmodern/neo-Marxist ideology.
Note that what is desperately needed is dialogue; with people on all sides willing to express their points of view, and hear others. And in speaking, it is better to speak “badly” rather than not speak. By then receiving feedback – criticism, affirmation, etc. – one can refine one’s thinking and improve subsequent speech. Criticism is NOT hate, although it may sometimes be delivered in a hateful manner.
In recent decades, there has been increased governmental intrusion into free speech by creating laws prohibiting certain types of speech considered to be “hate speech”. This is problematic. If someone harbors hateful thoughts and is allowed to express them, then it is possible for others to criticize and hopefully correct. If that speech is prohibited, then the hateful thoughts go underground and unchallenged, and thus uncorrected.
Certainly one should not be allowed to yell “fire” in a crowded theater, nor to explicitly advocate violence, but censoring speech that simply upsets other people carries significant risks to society, the greatest of which is the descent into totalitarianism.
Critique: Restrictions on free speech have been the hallmark of all totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, and thus those restrictions must be strenuously and effectively opposed; and there is a great deal of change desperately needed in academia to re-open the free exchange of ideas that once was the hallmark of education.