To be liberal or not to be

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

This quote is the focal point of liberalism which is based on the ideas of equality and liberty. There are different variants and schools of liberalism but the forementioned two ideas are more or less common to all, though to different degrees.

Not anymore.

Liberalism has taken a turn where ideas have to stick to the conformity of the boundaries laid by the upper echelons of liberals. The central ideas which seem to be approved are open world, no boundaries, no discrimination, appeasing minorities (religious, linguistic, sexual, racial amongst others). There is no room left for discussion, nor is any allowed.

Take this for example. A recent incident in India involving Ms. Gurmehar Kaur stormed the nation. There were two sets of people, one presumably liberals who supported her call for peace and end of warmongering, and the other set which opposed her ideas. Both sides stooped low but for someone who claims to be liberal, it's unwarranted. It goes against the entire theme of liberalism. To give a perspective, go through these tweets.

In a discussion about warmongering and peace, education, sexism and demeaning those with dissenting views was the way out and this has become the central theme of late. Dissenting ideas and views are no more allowed. 

I am reminded of a comment by Hillary Clinton which she made during her Presidential Campaign calling Trump supporters deplorable and as election results showed, apparently there were quite a many. 

Shaming and naming someone for his/her conservative views isn't liberal. 

Forcing someone to adhere to your ideas of the world isn't liberal. 

The urge of "educating" conservatives so that they learn the wonders of liberalism isn't liberal. 

Creating a divide of superior and inferior, based on views & thoughts and supporting it on the pillars of words like feminism, racism, bigotry, warmongering isn't liberal.

These words have become more of a tool to shut the dissenting views than the positive connotation they carry.

"You don't want to marry outside your religion, you are a religious fundamentalist." - No, you aren't, unless you are stepping into the freedom of others. 

"You aren't going out of your way to make minorities feel good, you are majoritarian." - No, you aren't, unless you are stepping into their freedom. 

"You are suspicious of your neighbor because of history and defend yourself, you are a warmonger." - No, you aren't, unless you advocate war. And if you don't defend yourself to avoid the label, you might as well just turn around and bend over (Now this last sentence is a view). 

"You opposed a girl for something, you are sexist." - No, you aren't, unless you opposed or discounted her because she is a girl. 

"You are opposed to someone from any race other than yours, you are racist." - No, you aren't, unless you opposed them just because they come from a particular race.

These words have begun to lose their meaning and it now seems that liberalism isn't very liberal. Either the meanings will change now, or we will see liberty or equality being preached, actually getting practiced.