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Right-wing protesters say they are only decked out in self-defense, that they will protect themselves, but not start anything. Left-wing protesters say the same. And yet violence often erupts.
Right-wing protesters say they are only decked out in self-defense, that they will protect themselves, but not start anything. Left-wing protesters say the same. And yet violence often erupts.
Both sides describe each other in terms of the views of their most extreme and hateful members. #Fascists. #Marxists.
It's much easier to demonize the other than understand them.
It's much easier to demonize the other than understand them.
I'm finding when I actually stop people and ask them to tell me about themselves, they are not full of hate. Often (on both sides) they have been drinking some one-sided media kool-aide, think they know what their opponents stand for, and are ready to fight to oppose it.
A couple of key needs are met by these sorts of groups: to belong to something and work for a cause bigger than oneself, to have a clear, evil enemy, and to experience camaraderie.
In all three cases, there are societal failures that have left these needs so exposed.
In all three cases, there are societal failures that have left these needs so exposed.
What can someone belong to that will effect positive change? We have put all our eggs in the politics basket, and watched as politics has become increasingly hostile, polarized, and ineffective. Each side vies for power to overturn whatever changes the other made.
We have a puritanical black-and-white conception of society. Sheep and goats. Hence purity tests, cancellation, name-calling et. al. The idea of people of good will coming to reasonable positions that disagree with one another has disappeared.
Real, rich community has been eroded by a thousand causes. Not going to try to list them. Where do people go to experience camaraderie, friendship, belonging? How about common life with people with whom you disagree?
I think that the far-right and far-left protests are symptoms of a much deeper societal sickness.
Going and yelling at supposed fascists and Marxists will do nothing to heal it.
Going and yelling at supposed fascists and Marxists will do nothing to heal it.
