Let’s not act like this is news. Every white amab could tell you how white dudes will come up to you and just start spouting heinous shit because they just assume you’re in their same little club. Everyone has heard dad or Grandma code switch as soon as you aren’t in public anymore.
Or if you work any kind of public-facing job, some racist man-loaf will decide that because you can’t leave, you get to be the outlet as he thinks he’s a raconteur holding court when he’s just regurgitating shit he heard on Rogan.
I’m happy to say that nobody in my family ever really code switched.
The closest was my WW2 vet grandfather responding to my disdain for nuking Japan with the higher amount of civilians killed by firebombing… but in a non-racist matter-of-fact kind of way. My disdain never stopped, but I did learn that there is no such thing as a moral or just war; only some sides are more moral and just than others, and each create hell on Earth trying to win it.
I don’t have much contact with the family I have left, but I did get into things with my 85 yr old landlord the other day. Can’t remember what started it but I did say that us white people are pretty arrogant. She came back with a statement saying that she just wants everyone to stop talking about race altogether 'cause discussing it just causes problems.
She’s got an adopted First Nations daughter and 3 FNs grandchildren but doesn’t seem to be able to see the bias in how they are treated (ie: followed around in stores by staff, etc) or her/our complicity in the systemic racism that continues.
I ended up just walking away and now thinking maybe I should move … because I lack the patience to deal with that shit.
I haven’t seen my Grandma in a few years. I’m actually visiting the state next month, but I won’t visit her.
She knows why. And my Dad doesnt argue with me about it. He really goes to check on his sister.
I don’t tolerate intolerance. This is what happens when Americans do.
I lost an aunt I had gotten on well with to fascism and ignorance over Thanksgiving. I’m down to a brother and two first cousins once removed. Haven’t spoken to my parents in a few years now.
We all have to draw lines in the sand and I’ve drawn mine. I don’t care how much blood we share, I will not tolerate intolerance.
Almost 15 yrs ago in my less responsibility burdened younger days, this white supremacist was talking shit to to literally everyone on the bus (in San Francisco). Slurs at Asians, gays, elderly, black kid. I was next to him and the only “hetero white guy” (and young enough to “deal with him”). I stood over him, leaned in his face and told him to “get the fuck up and get off the bus” - he was flabbergasted! “but! You’re Irish no? One of us!! I thought you were a good one!” (If anyone cares, I eventually got him off the bus after shouting and getting physical. Nerdy tech sales guy had to literally wrestle this big ass Nazi off the bus. As I kicked him in the chest down the back stairwell and out the door I enjoyed screaming “you’re fucking dead. Your ideology is fucking dead and you keep it up, I’ll find you and you will be too” and no, nobody clapped, a couple of old Chinese ladies nodded at me, and I went to a sales call covered in sweat. Mundane Justice. And before the nothingeverhappens and iamverybadass police show up, yes, sorry, these things do happen, and sometimes to people on Lemmy AND you can finish a fight but not start it without being a violent psycho… I’ve also had an hours long conversation with a dude 3x my size w swastika tattoo and kinda deprogrammed him… I’m aware violence isn’t the only way.)
Cool story bro.
More jpeg pls
Got any more of 'dem pixels?
It’s like to playing game theory with someone who consistently betrays you. Now, you have three options:
- Prioritize your own survival and well-being
- Seek support from individuals who share similar values and beliefs
- Reevaluate your core values and consider whether abandoning kindness is a better way
I wish people still see kindness in people tho.
Not an American but Ontario is also fucked and Canada is soon to be for the same reason. Sadly I have been prioritizing the survival of me and my own as well as their well-being.
I still have a lot of love for my neighbours but I can’t trust them anymore. My neighbours are increasingly ok with corruption as long as it’s their team doing it. They’re ok with systemic racism and bigotry when it’s their team setting the rules. They’re ok with setting out elderly and our children up for failure with a collapsing heath and education system so long as their team is setting the rules.
They’ve been brainwashed to not be objective. It’s scary. There’s a reason why it’s always a talking point to defund PBS in the US or CBC in Canada. God forbid there should be any semblance of an impartial news outlet that cares about the constituents first and the narrative last.
It’s not that a vast majority of our neighbours have lost the plot. It’s that there’s despicable people in positions of leadership which are actively encouraging and feeding those people.
I don’t have a solution. I just know it’s disgusting and I wish people would wake up but I fear it’s not going to happen until their bloodshed.
Seek support from individuals who share similar values and beliefs
Start developing community.
Trump’s win shows us who we really are
Posted: Sunday, November 17, 2024
I’d like to congratulate Donald J. Trump on his historic win a couple of weeks ago. Those of you who have read some of my previous columns might find that a little surprising, but I mean it sincerely. Trump’s triumph over Harris has given us a window into the soul of America that probably would have remained hidden had the election gone a different way. In a very real and unambiguous manner, Trump has laid bare who we truly are. His campaign, and the response to it, has helped to clarify what many Americans currently value and how their perspective has evolved over the last couple of generations. Seriously, we owe him a debt of gratitude for making it perfectly transparent what is – and what is not – important to most Americans these days. Before November 5th, for example, many of us were under the impression human kindness was a quality that defined our society. Indeed, the idea we should care deeply about the plight of our neighbors was something many thought was synonymous with being an American. Thanks to Trump, we now know most of us are selfish and self-centered, more concerned with our own wellbeing than those around us. Oh, and not just individually. Countries that have looked to the United States since the end of World War II can no longer count on us to be there when threatened by empire-building murderous tyrants. It is also abundantly clear character doesn’t matter anymore. Certainly not in the way many of us thought it did once upon a time. My parents and grandparents instilled in me the importance of always telling the truth and living with integrity. Evidently, their old-fashioned notions are grossly out of step with what most Americans now believe. Growing up, I remember getting into trouble for making fun of those who were less fortunate or calling people unflattering names based on personal characteristics they had no control over. If my mother caught me laughing at someone with a disability, I would not have been able to sit down for a couple of days. Perhaps if Trump had been around when I was younger, he could have let my mother know it was OK to denigrate and disparage those who are different. In a similar vein, Trump should also be commended for reminding us that racism, xenophobia, and misogyny are alive and well in many households and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream that one day we will judge people primarily by the content of their character remains an elusive aspiration. Like many Americans, prior to Trump’s win I honestly believed most Americans weren’t fans of vulgarity, profanity, and disgusting language. But Trump set the record straight on that. Apparently, a lot of Christians are completely fine with all kinds of boorish behavior. In my 8th grade Social Studies class, Mr. Sparks taught us all Americans are equal before the law. You’ve probably heard that rumor, too. But as Trump demonstrated conclusively, some Americans can break the law repeatedly - committing crimes that would land most of us behind bars - and suffer no consequences. And furthermore, having a criminal record is now something many Americans celebrate and even cheer. Kudos to Trump. Which brings us to those infamous Ten Commandments we’ve been hearing about for most of our lives. In Sunday school, I was told it was a big deal to violate any of them. As Trump has shown, however, most Americans don’t really care about God’s laws - the fact that some want them plastered everywhere notwithstanding. Finally, prior to the election I bet many readers saw America as a shining city on a hill, as Ronald Reagan so eloquently put it a few years ago. Now we know that’s not the case. We are just as susceptible to being seduced by a corrupt, power-hungry, narcissistic, wannabe dictator as any other third-world country. Again, congratulations to Trump for exposing the cold, hard truth about who we are. There is no American Exceptionalism; we are not immune from evil, anti-democratic authoritarian leaders with fascist tendencies. So let’s stop pretending we’re something we’re not.
What an utterly depressing column. I can’t help but agree. Sigh.
I’d like to say I’m hopeful that society will remember the last century of slow progress after the next four years of getting it’s ass kicked, if not for the fact that we just went through this shit a few years ago.
It’s depressing, but the reality we were taught to believe never really existed. All of these aspirations were virtue signals taught to us by a capitalist oligarchy whose politics, policies, laws, wars, economics, and judicial system always clearly displayed otherwise with their actions.
It started with the virtue signal of “all men are created equal”; shitting all over non-landowners, women, and blacks.
The question isn’t if the emperor has clothes or not. The question is what we the people are going to do about it… probably nothing… also depressing.
It wasn’t wrong to believe that we could be that, and it was never wrong to teach that message, no matter the motives or provenance of the people teaching it.
It was a mistake to believe we had already reached that point.
I’m not suggesting we abandon those ideals in the slightest. I’m suggesting we acknowledge reality as it truly is, hold the charlatan virtue signalers and criminals accountable — whoever they are — and start creating the ideal world we all thought was possible.
Be the person your dog thinks you are… but to everyone, including yourself!
what we the people are going to do about it
Seems like some have a solution.
If you ever thought that USAians are normal, kind people… Try going outside and riding a bicycle.
Here’s a slightly more readable version: https://people.wku.edu/aaron.hughey/pdf/WhoWeReallyAre.pdf
Thanks. :)
You’re welcome!
I mean, I agree and all. But you really didn’t know that before 2016? That there’s always the “striving to be” caveat on the exceptionalism comments? Slavery… racism… Religious persecution… Misogyny, rape and violence… Dictators over communists… I’ve been angry about this shit for decades and never kidded myself that we were somehow suddenly a different country. If you’ve ever been a patriot who loved you nation AND your neighbors (without prejudice), you had to know the warts were there. And even the GOP thing… The country has elected corporate-leaning bootstrap yourself anti-welfare officials half it’s history. And even the progressives at each step, bore bigotry for the groups that hadn’t upwardly moved to “as good as straight, white, and male” I had a really good guy, wealthy family of my ex, while drunkenly sharing a doob, tell me, “no, you can come to bohemian grove! Jews are practically white now! We’ve had one for years!” (I’m 95% sure it was Harvey Weinstein fwiw) The people demanding their Latino neighbors get deported (seriously, who the fuck is going to take their jobs at that pay… These people are so fucked when they have to pay on the books at corporate rates) think they’re progressive bc they’re down with blacks and gays now (as long as you only kiss a white woman or fellow dude behind closed doors) This Is America Some people are just opening their eyes. I found this election to be mundane in retrospect. Many more, average, even kind most of the time, people I know (and love) voted red. It almost made it easy to stomach. Maybe it’s not a Nazi overthrow but a referendum by the 99% that they’re tired and broke and pissed off and it they don’t have a Bernie or something, this is just what they’re going to do… Michael Moore should be required reading before commenting on what Americans are like.
Someone once said “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” With Michael Moore, it’s the opposite. I agree with what he has to say, but I sure wish he’d shut the fuck up. Obnoxious people like Michael Moore just push people to Trump.
The left needs to be less accusatory and focus more on actually influencing people. Guys like Michael Moore make a living preaching to the choir which accomplishes nothing.
The left needs to be a little less obsessed with proving how smart they are in their own little circle jerks and learn how to communicate with people outside of their circles. Telling people that don’t really give a shit about politics that they’re racist assholes because they voted for the guy that was on Joe Rogan isn’t going to win them over. Think about why people would rather listen to Joe Rogan than Michael Moore. It’s because Michael Moore is smug and obnoxious. Which is a trait that a lot of people on the left exhibit.
I find Michael Moore neither smug nor obnoxious. You and others interpret Michael Moore’s messages as being smug and/or obnoxious, but there are a lot of other people who listen to his messages without animosity. This pattern is also true for Joe Rogan. I am certain that there are people who interpret his message as being smug or obnoxious.
The reality is the nature of conversation is complicated: the result relies on how information is produced by the speaker AND how it is interpreted by the listener. So the root of the problem is twofold. It’s not just that people are having a hard time speaking to those outside their circle. It is also that people are having a hard time listening to those outside their circle. The blame is not on the left or the right, it’s on both. Both exist in their own circle jerk, and neither groups are able to talk and listen to each other.
I think the fact that we all aligned once this CEO died reveals why this division is important those in power (Top 1%, billionaires, and multi-millionaires). If we did all team up, these people in power would be in trouble. Instead, we are being divided into two sides that cannot even communicate with each other. And because of that, we are being conquered by these oligarchs and we are too busy fighting each other to know what’s going on.
Yes, people that already agree with Michael Moore like him. But to anyone that doesn’t already agree with him, he’s smug and obnoxious. I agree with most of what he says, but find him grating, he’s not going to change anyone’s mind about anything.
Both exist in their own circle jerk, and neither groups are able to talk and listen to each other.
The nature of social media. People don’t talk to each other on social media. They talk at each other. People aren’t trying to change people’s minds about anything, they’re writing things to prove to people that are already on “their side” how loyal they are to a cause by insulting those who aren’t. People write their opinions under their own names and what they wrote in the past is always there because nothing on the internet can ever really be deleted. This calcifies people’s opinions. Add followers to the mix then you have your own personal audience that’s there because they like what you’ve said in the past. So there’s a strong disincentive to never change, and a strong incentive to attack those not within the group.
It takes effort to get out of this rut and actually talk to people. Social media has deluded us into thinking that it can result in a positive change, but it’s only endless arguments that accomplish nothing because nobody in the social media rut will ever change. And because people feel like they’re making positive change for dunking on the whateverists that are incompatible with mywhateverism, less happens through more productive channels of activism.
Kinda sad that it takes a murder to break people out of their respective bubbles. And I’m not optimistic about people not returning to their respective bubbles as soon as the next thing to be angry at each other over is offered up.
Well put in every regard.
Agreed. Many people, particularly Americans, are terrible listeners. Dunnning-Kreuged effect in play.
You can’t be serious. This was the guy who dedicated his life showing the inequality and economic devastation that globalization had on the working class, as well as mass shootings.
Sounds like you’re hearing his hype voters to activate before elections tone, not his pro all Americans content. I agree with your final thoughts (hence my above comment about seeing our neighbors as humans again) but I think you’re pinning it on the wrong dude. He’s a fat guy from Michigan in a shitty hat. You’re thinking of the postdoc white suburbanites on Twitter that use words nobody ever uses IRL only alienating people that agree with them.
Calling bullshit. This guy’s from Kentucky, he’s known all of this for quite some time.
Seriously, we’ve known this. The fact that we keep fighting with one hand behind our back, trying to espose morals they don’t care about, is stupid.
The religious studies dean at WKU had a pride flag in his office over a decade ago. And the dean of the poli sci department had a picture of her and Rosa Parks on her desk at the same time. I graduated in 2013. So I can’t speak to any changes.
I do know that Professors are just as bad as internet citizens at cloistering themselves off from the opinions of the the general public.
deleted by creator
must be “rich enough to feel shame” for this comment and bitch out.
While you’re taking measure of the American soul, why not spare a few words for who we’ve chosen as our erstwhile champions against the venalities of Trumpism? Does it not also bear notice that we’ve lesser-eviled ourselves to the point where even genocide qualifies?
You people literally cannot stop blaming Israel on every Democrat every single time you can possibly bring it up.
Correct. Get used to it, because I’ll keep bringing it up until you people grow a conscience and develop some basic moral principles.
Israel is responsible for its actions and you all have already jaded me forever on the topic. At least in an online context. You bringing that up just signals to me “oh, another fake moralist with another one track mind”.
If you argued anything but voting for harris, I don’t believe you care about Palestinians. Which is what most of you opposed wholeheartedly, thereby 1000% proving you’re full of shit. Those people are way more fucked than before because trump won, and you’re partly to blame.
Yes, Israel is responsible for its actions. Are Democrats not also responsible for their actions?
All you’re doing is trying to argue against Democrats because you hated them before israel did what it did. If you supported Democrats before this you wouldn’t be saying shit. Fake moral outrage
You’re right that I’m not a Democrat, and that I have more reasons than their unabashed support for genocide to dislike them. But can’t you see the irony in accusing me of “fake moral outrage” though? Do you simply not believe in morality at all? Or maybe genocide ranks lower on your list of things deserving moral outrage than it does on mine.
All that matters is you would’ve rather trump won despite that hurting Palestinians. So your fraudulent morality isn’t really up for debate is it? You can wax poetic about how you and a small group have morals and others don’t but you know deep down that the only reason you’re saying any of this is your anti-democratic politics. Your words hurt real people in Palestine and you stand behind them and can’t wait to say those same words again. So give me a fucking break
Kinda dumb to paint a broad stroke like this when the election system is rigged to have only two viable parties that both favor the rich, mass media is controlled by the rich to constantly indoctrinate people, and the rich force people to work long hours for low pay just to barely survive. I’m sure a distinguished professor could figure out why such a system would produce such results, but it’s easier to blame the stupid masses instead of scrutinize the institutions, just like how it is easier to blame minorities for high cost of living instead of the rich hoarding resources and cornering markets.
yea, 2 party system is rigged. but that does not give reason or excuse to vote for a hateful treasonous power-tripping con-artist diaper-filling asshole.
No, and yet it happens, because the system is designed for it to happen. Do you think it’s possible for one of the two parties to never get voted in again? Democrats don’t seem to think that should happen since leaders in the democratic party have repeatedly stated that we need a republican party for whatever reason, even though the republican party is one of fascists (and no, getting rid of trump won’t change that). It’s like having a staircase without a railing and only blaming the people when they fall off/down the stairs. Perhaps the people should be less clumsy, but that doesn’t excuse the unsafe setup.
It is downright bizarre how many people want to pretend voters are not responsible for their actions/inactions
Where did I say voters are not responsible for their actions/inactions?
Your entire comment is basically ,“why you blaming stupid people, man. It’s the system!”
It can be both. It is both.
It can be both, but the much larger contributor by light-years is the system.
I think everyone here knows that but people will always be idiots and yet that will always be justifiably frustrating
If the options include popular Hitler, popular Stalin, and unpopular Gandhi; but only 1% of voters choose the non-genocidal option, maybe Carlin was right:
“Garbage in, garbage out. If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, […] you’re going to get selfish, ignorant leaders.” – George Carlin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBrbXOmnW70
The non-genocidal option is a practical impossibility to achieve in this system. It would’ve required coordination among tens of millions of people. I don’t care how intelligent they are, it’s like herding cats. Many will claim that we shouldn’t risk the non-genocidal option since the “less” genocidal option is far more established and has a better chance of winning against the “more” genocidal option. Smart people can make different calculations and justifications for what they did, and sometimes they land on - what would seem in the end - a baffling decision to still support genocide, but it’s rationalized as the realistic harm reduction option.
Now throw in billions of dollars influencing (or outright buying) the politicians and dominating mass media. Everyone is susceptible to such powerful influence on some level, regardless of intelligence. If they weren’t fooled by the current setup, then obviously billionaires would use their power to find a different approach that would.
