Casting everyone who disagrees with us as the worst possible version of something is not helpful. It drives them towards that worst version, and others them in a way that limits the growth of a cause.
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The differences between ingrained racist but trying to do better, racist and thinks they’re not, deeply and proudly racist, and white supremacist are real, and important. These people all need to be dealt with differently.
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Casting them all as the white supremacist, drives more of them to actually be that. If they are all treated as irredeemable, the growth of any anti-racist movement is capped. It is important to allow people to learn, to grow, and to change, and then to accept their growth.
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Nah, you know what. I’m not done.
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It’s also important to allow reasoned disagreement within a cause. I’m not saying allow people who absolutely don’t believe in the cause, and fight against it. However, disagreements about theory, strategy, and other things are normal and okay.
5/

It important to allow people to make mistakes, especially people who are still learning. Mistakes are part of the learning process. In climbing we say if you’re not falling you’re not trying hard enough. The same is true here, truly seeking growth will include mistakes.
6/

Are there disagreements and mistakes that can’t be overcome? That can’t be forgiven?
Probably, but that threshold needs to be set pretty high. End?/