discussion These past few months has really sobered me on any sort of leftism.

[Kimbra]

To see leftists parrot anti-semetic talking points and deny the danger of radical islamists in real time is extremely eye-opening. I used to consider myself a progressive but I need to move to the center because I can't fall into this anti-US dogmatic doom spiral anymore. It's like everyone is waiting for a rapture (late-stage capitalism) that is never coming. It's so culty. It's no different from q-anon.

Edited April 3 by Kimbra

[Mitsouko]

[GraceRandolph]

It's sobering that you have more heat for the left than elected officials saying **** like this on the daily:

 

[Strawberry Bubble]

All extremes are for unintelligent or immature people. 

[St. Charles]

I think leftists play an important part in modern day politics. I like how they refuse to accept status quo and push for what they believe in and I think the younger generation needs something like that. My issue is when people are aggressively one-sided on an issue and it turns out they have a Twitter-level understanding. The more extreme your position is, the more information you need to substantiate it.
 

I also don't like how they can often push others (like celebrities or any random YouTuber with a platform) into picking an extreme position on everything and excessively purity testing everyone who is actually on their side. Look at how long it took for people to hate AOC and Bernie now, lol. 

[glitch]

You don't have to agree with everything other left wing people say or do to also be left wing. Some people on the internet may make it seem that way, but being left wing is not some exclusive club where you all have to agree on every single point on every single issue.

 

Shifting your own political views to match everyone around you seems a bit short sighted imo.

[stjosephprey4us]

Our entire society / humanity is intrinsically doomed and inherently evil  especially those in leadership positions. Nothing to do about it lol

[Kimbra]

4 minutes ago, GraceRandolph said:

It's sobering that you have more heat for the left than elected officials saying **** like this on the daily:

 

Y'ALL ARE POLITICALLY AND ELECTORALLY IMPOTENT! The basic ***** Swiftie PTA moms have done more to advance progressive politics than y'all. You all aren't a movement but a cult of contrarians

[Alongoria13]

[Peroxide]

Whilst there are factions of the chronically online left that go over-board with pearl clutching and purity testing… I urge you to actually look at leftist values and ideals.

 

There's not really any other way forward from a humanitarian/moral perspective... at least not for me. Lefitism is about making life better for everyone - for the many, not the few.

 

I think criticism of Islam is perfectly valid. Criticism of any religion is valid… what isn't valid is when we use that criticism to fear-monger and incite hatred towards a group of people that are already heavily marginalised by Western society.

Edited April 3 by Peroxide

[GraceRandolph]

8 minutes ago, Kimbra said:

Y'ALL ARE POLITICALLY AND ELECTORALLY IMPOTENT! The basic ***** Swiftie PTA moms have done more to advance progressive politics than y'all. You all aren't a movement but a cult of contrarians

 

[State of Grace.]

boo hoo

 

[2NE1]

Honestly, I get it. The whole political spectrum idea is such a mess and these factions have proven to be inefficient time and time again. 

[byzantium]

So basically, you have soured on the left because they don't support genocide?  
 

Spoiler

Personally my biggest rift with the left is over zoning laws but that is a different conversation. 

 

[pisuke]

This is a very uncultured take that lacks of any knowledge and nuance about what is really going on nowadays and what has really happened so far. 

[Digitalism]

The internet will make you think everything is black or white. Reality doesn't work like that

Those who try to force you into side are either not very smart or gaining something from it

[Communion]

This just reads like a privileged rich person whining tbh. It's even more embarrassing if from a first world American context. 

 

Leftist politics in much of the world means taking up arms. It means radical organizing and facing threats of violence to overtake dangerous leaders and liberate one's people. The same Palestinians you demonize are often themselves leftist having to strap on gear and weapons and literally be willing to kill someone to defend themselves from extermination. 

 

You hear working class progressives go "it's bad that Biden doesn't support universal healthcare" and your brain melts. What is overwhelming you? Liberal Democrats have achieved so little that their country has the greatest economic inequality in the developed world. What demands are too great that you feel alienated by seeing leftists make them? Insulin being free? Shock, horror! If how you're describing yourself is accurate, you just seem to be a deeply unserious person. Why should anyone care if you're tired of "the left"?

 

All this whining from affluent liberals constantly spewed on here takes me back to this tweet:

 

Edited April 3 by Communion

[Trent W]

Most leftists online are trolls tho

 

I think we need to stop generalizing, same with people of some religions, almost everyone I know in person that is religious is respectful, while online they are 95% trolls

 

The internet just has the worst people commenting in everything 

Edited April 3 by Trent W

[Communion]

1 hour ago, Kimbra said:

Y'ALL ARE POLITICALLY AND ELECTORALLY IMPOTENT! The basic ***** Swiftie PTA moms have done more to advance progressive politics than y'all.

The "advancing of progressive politics" in question:

 

 

 

 

[If U Seek Amy]

I understand what you mean. I personally still consider myself a progressive, but separate myself from the classic TikTok/social media trend following progressives and the performative activism/shame others for not being as morally righteous as them individuals. It used to be me and I've moved past it. There is no quicker way to make people disagree with you and be unlikable than behave that way even if you are 100% correct. And there is nuance to every issue that many leave out online trying to jam their view down my throat and label me awful for not agreeing with them. 
 

I also accept that it is unhealthy for myself to be overly concerned with any and all social issues as it is detrimental to my mental and physical health to be so constantly angry and upset. I do care and help when I can, but I can't obsess on social media 24/7, which to some makes me non-caring and privileged and that is fine if others think so. I know who I am and I am not going to suffer simply because there will always be bad in the world. It has helped me care, but also be healthier and happier.

 

Lastly, I have given up in a positive way on the notion that everything is just done for and we are all dead negatively like many. Others can feel so and that is fine. I see so much good and progress amidst all the bad also. I will never 100% get my way and America will never operate that way and compromise needs to be made to progress. Fighting it will just result in fatigue and nihilism. The best you can do is strive for better and hopefully when I am gone it still continues to improve. In my lifetime I know I will never see a perfectly right and just planet and it is what it is. Biden is not my choice for president and the democrats often suck, but I believe also in having to make do with the better option so I am still going to support them until realistically better options come forth. It is reality and I accept it. There will likely never be a perfect candidate for me. I would consider sitting out more of the other option wasn't so insane, but I have made the person decision many cannot afford that level of damage, even if some are still harmed by the Biden admin in the end. And I can see there are radical people on both sides of the Israel/Palestinian conflict that are awful. I will never take anyone seriously tho who supports fully Israel and same goes for Hamas. I am pro peace and innocent safety of both sides regardless of what is fair and who has suffered more or less

[JanStan]

1 hour ago, Kimbra said:

To see leftists parrot anti-semetic talking points and deny the danger of radical islamists in real time is extremely eye-opening. I used to consider myself a progressive but I need to move to the center because I can't fall into this anti-US dogmatic doom spiral anymore. It's like everyone is waiting for a rapture (late-stage capitalism) that is never coming. It's so culty. It's no different from q-anon.

I consider myself left of center. The truth is just do your own research and don't let the leftist bullies tell you who you are. Vote on issues as they apply to you. The left has become an echo chamber of fear mongerers who will call you transphobic, racist, homophobic and any other number of terms if you don't fall 100% in line. And they don't want to have conversations so don't bother. Do you. 

[torturedpoet]

The only thing that bothers me about the leftists is how tolerant they are of the intolerant just because "we should all be treated equally and respect everyone's culture". In reality we should call out bs no matter if it comes from culture, religion, societal factors etc. just because something is a part of someone's culture it doesn't immediately mean that it's untouchable and deserves to be respected. 
 

But this whole idea of having to choose left or right is silly anyways. 

[beautiful player]

I agree. I still consider myself on the left & I always vote as left as I can. But Western Leftism feels very performative nowadays. They've become too impatient and short-sighted that they've gone all scorched-earth  

 

I hope the impending loss at the 2024 ballot box will be a moment of reflection. 

[Aethereal]

Criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitism. While it is true that many antisemites will try to capitalize the situation to promote hatred towards all Jewish people but this does not mean we should ignore the suffering of Palestinians.

 

Besides that many genocidal comments have been thrown at Palestinians too, by even politicans and other public figures. I know at least 3 such cases in USA alone. 

Edited April 3 by Aethereal

[LIT]

Have you moved to the center, or have the contradictions between your liberal politics & the politics of the anti-imperialist Left simply become clearer in recent months?