As a British person following this column with huge interest, and worry, I am really grateful for the comment that the 'confederate lobby' stole and distorted the word 'Socialism' in 1871 to mean, apparently, any sort of social intervention which might have a redistributive effect, and above all one which would shift the balance of power…
As a British person following this column with huge interest, and worry, I am really grateful for the comment that the 'confederate lobby' stole and distorted the word 'Socialism' in 1871 to mean, apparently, any sort of social intervention which might have a redistributive effect, and above all one which would shift the balance of power against their side within the states. It seems to me that this gives an understanding as to why the USA seems to have a fear of 'socialism' which is to us totally irrational and bigoted, and which extends way beyond any meaning we would accept for the term. It has to be kept as a term of tribal belonging, as opposed to rational discourse, so that the rich can persuade the poor to support them.
Enslaved people created a lot of wealth; their enslavers stole it all. White supremacy was invented to give white workers just enough privilege to get them to support slavery, and later its close cousins. Screaming socialism at the very idea of returning a small fraction of that stolen wealth has been effective for a long time.
Absolutely! Slavery and its current prison-based economic cousin might even be called a form of “socialism”. But keep your government hands off my Medicare.
The conservative pols are very much against spending public money on public programs. They think it is better used to subsidize and underwrite private enterprises. And of course, private enterprise should never be taxed to benefit the public.
I have seen these folks use both 'antifascist' and 'fascist' to identify us. Marxist and Communist, Leninist and Stalinist. It is only for deflection and redirection. When you don't have an argument you have to just throw dust in the air.
Most of my lesser historically informed neighbors here in Georgia equate “socialism” with communist anti-Americanism. Radical, and therefore bad. Their association, not mine. They won’t hold still for long enough to discuss it, or react at some point with real dismissive anger. You just can’t have a productive conversation when one person brings facts and reason, and the other brings emotional reactivity —
Indeed, Gustav. My experience with these types of people/conversations is that I can say something, they come back with a 'whataboutism' and I ask them to stay on the subject, and they reply "I'm done talking." Because they got nothin'
I had a realization yesterday that struck me with some force, even though I already understood it on a subconscious level. It was that those of us who read and comment on this newsletter are the bad guys, and the enemy, to Q-anon, Maga Nation, the conservative/Christian Right. We are the people who do not willingly accept the blatant or subtle lies and falsehoods propounded by political leaders in service of maintaining power hierarchies that are classist, racist, sexist, etc. etc.
I accept this distinction as a point of pride, but it gives me pause. I will forcefully contest any who come to me with explanations or reasoning that defends right wing ideologies, based mostly on my opposition to creeping corporatization and commodification of seemingly every aspect of modern life. But I am willing (very willing!) to engage in those dialogues. The idea of being an enemy hit me so hard because I feel like the people in my life who disagree with me are unwilling or unable to take up these arguments, and I am wondering if it's because of the hardening of political rhetoric that is casting the people of our country into opposing camps, where reasoned discourse is not valued.
I know this has been brewing a long time, but it's very disheartening. If we are truly unable to talk out our differences, the alternatives are truly scary.
I suggest seeking the Independents (40% of voters) for dialogues. That's where we get the most bang for the buck--and retention of sanity. The far right Heritage Foundation types are aggressively and systematically pursuing the Independents.
HCR has suggested treating Q types like victims of DV. They're not ready to listen, so don't waste your breath, but do continue to set the example and keep the line of communication open.
This is nothing new. My family is poor white ... (well I won't continue with the "trash," but some of them actually are). My mom told me that when she dropped out of 8th grade in St. Louis in 1944 and ran off with my dad to Mississippi, she was helping some of my younger uncles with their high school homework. In the late '50s when I visited family in MS, I was derided by cousins for being that book learnin' yankee. (No a horse hair dropped in water won't turn into a snake, No that brightly colored skink lizard it not poisonous, No toad pee will not give you warts) My St. Louis public school education was either far superior to their backwater school system or perhaps we just knew the value of knowledge over folk tales and superstition.
You just encapsulated an entire Paul Krugman column in the New York Times about why Republicans actually love to have leaders who lack any expertise on the matters they are charged with tending in the public interest.
You’re absolute correct Phillip, rational discourse has given way to tribalism. The typical responses I get when talking with these folks are: “it’s my choice; I don’t have to tell anyone why; I’m a free American.” Discussion closed.
1871 was the year that Paris Commune was crushed by the French Army in a brutal and savage response to the "Communards." the revolutionary people of Paris. This event no doubt resonated with the fear that Whites in America and the South of revolution that could in any way challenge their power.
Not trying to put words into the mouth of Ms. Richardson, I think she avoided going into this event and the repercussions in depth to stay on focus, of the current goal of the far right and that is to stay in power through voter suppression. By eliminating African Americans and people of color from voting in close elections and especially in the South, the Fascist Republicans will maintain power.
The "Socialist" label really was revived during the McCarthy era as synonymous with the "Evil Empire" of Communism.
But yes at the heart of this fear among the Whites in power is essentially the same fear they have always had of a revenge seeking black population coming to power.
As a white guy, I've never had such fears. African Americans have somehow endured and bourne decades of prejudice, discrimination and simply being marginalized from a decent life in this nation. I welcome the day when they can not be gerrymandered and voter suppressed from the life all whites enjoy without a thought.
The stain of slavery is the curse that will destroy the nation and end Democracy alright, but by the hands of the whites who live in fearnot the blacks who are oppressed.
I’m not sure they live in fear because white people have never experienced the kind of fear that severely marginalized groups of people have experienced. And I speak of “white people” as being top of the caste ladder with privilege many white people just take for granted because it’s always been there.
I believe that what is happening now is that the caste, the decision to base all on color of skin for convenience, the idea of white privilege moving from “norm” to a racist maneuver is gnawing at folks. There is a history of guilt of many many knowing the wrong and injustice of it but accepting it because it’s easier. And who truly wants to wake up “black”tomorrow morning if given the choice in this country?
It is a greed to keep the status quo. That is the only thing that scares me. Not McCarthy, the former, Boebert, or any of the charlatans. It’s the “toppling of the ladder of caste” argument they use to incite those against equity, equality of opportunity, and freedom for all.
I think every day about how enlightened can somehow win this argument and not the darkness. Darkness. Ironic, isn’t it?
If we can get through this time and still have an intact country I think history will look back and marvel at the contribution of the many African-American thinkers of the past and present who have shared their wisdom. In my lifetime of 70 years they include Martin Luther King Jr; Malcolm X; John Lewis; Bryan Stevenson; Heather McGhee; Michele Alexander; Colson Whitehead; Ibram X. Kendi; Ava DuVernay; Ta-Nehisi Coates; Nikole Hannah-Jones; Isabel Wilkerson; August Wilson...I could go on...these are just the folks I can think of at the moment. If their thinking prevails and we white folks face our history squarely then we really will have a "more perfect union."
At one point in time, the conservatives did this with the word “liberal.” Then some liberals reclaimed the word by having ads that said, I am a proud, card carrying Liberal.” Might have been Dukakis, who didn’t fare well—destroyed possibly by Roger Stone and the whole Willie Horton debacle. But still, maybe we can reclaim the word “socialism.”
As a British person following this column with huge interest, and worry, I am really grateful for the comment that the 'confederate lobby' stole and distorted the word 'Socialism' in 1871 to mean, apparently, any sort of social intervention which might have a redistributive effect, and above all one which would shift the balance of power against their side within the states. It seems to me that this gives an understanding as to why the USA seems to have a fear of 'socialism' which is to us totally irrational and bigoted, and which extends way beyond any meaning we would accept for the term. It has to be kept as a term of tribal belonging, as opposed to rational discourse, so that the rich can persuade the poor to support them.
"Socialism" is used as a pejorative, shorthand for anyone who espouses ideas that are not lock-step conservative.
Enslaved people created a lot of wealth; their enslavers stole it all. White supremacy was invented to give white workers just enough privilege to get them to support slavery, and later its close cousins. Screaming socialism at the very idea of returning a small fraction of that stolen wealth has been effective for a long time.
Absolutely! Slavery and its current prison-based economic cousin might even be called a form of “socialism”. But keep your government hands off my Medicare.
I hit the "heart" button before reading your entire post, Joan, because I knew it would be to the point, along with being all-inclusive, and it was!
Shorthand for any government program that benefits anyone but whites.
Make that "Shorthand for any government program that benefits anyone but WEALTHY whites", and I'll agree wholeheartedly.
The conservative pols are very much against spending public money on public programs. They think it is better used to subsidize and underwrite private enterprises. And of course, private enterprise should never be taxed to benefit the public.
I have seen these folks use both 'antifascist' and 'fascist' to identify us. Marxist and Communist, Leninist and Stalinist. It is only for deflection and redirection. When you don't have an argument you have to just throw dust in the air.
Most of my lesser historically informed neighbors here in Georgia equate “socialism” with communist anti-Americanism. Radical, and therefore bad. Their association, not mine. They won’t hold still for long enough to discuss it, or react at some point with real dismissive anger. You just can’t have a productive conversation when one person brings facts and reason, and the other brings emotional reactivity —
Indeed, Gustav. My experience with these types of people/conversations is that I can say something, they come back with a 'whataboutism' and I ask them to stay on the subject, and they reply "I'm done talking." Because they got nothin'
I had a realization yesterday that struck me with some force, even though I already understood it on a subconscious level. It was that those of us who read and comment on this newsletter are the bad guys, and the enemy, to Q-anon, Maga Nation, the conservative/Christian Right. We are the people who do not willingly accept the blatant or subtle lies and falsehoods propounded by political leaders in service of maintaining power hierarchies that are classist, racist, sexist, etc. etc.
I accept this distinction as a point of pride, but it gives me pause. I will forcefully contest any who come to me with explanations or reasoning that defends right wing ideologies, based mostly on my opposition to creeping corporatization and commodification of seemingly every aspect of modern life. But I am willing (very willing!) to engage in those dialogues. The idea of being an enemy hit me so hard because I feel like the people in my life who disagree with me are unwilling or unable to take up these arguments, and I am wondering if it's because of the hardening of political rhetoric that is casting the people of our country into opposing camps, where reasoned discourse is not valued.
I know this has been brewing a long time, but it's very disheartening. If we are truly unable to talk out our differences, the alternatives are truly scary.
I suggest seeking the Independents (40% of voters) for dialogues. That's where we get the most bang for the buck--and retention of sanity. The far right Heritage Foundation types are aggressively and systematically pursuing the Independents.
HCR has suggested treating Q types like victims of DV. They're not ready to listen, so don't waste your breath, but do continue to set the example and keep the line of communication open.
It's yet another example of GOP voters not liking to read, and GOP leaders taking advantage of that.
Not only that they despise and hiss at people who do read simply because they read!
This is nothing new. My family is poor white ... (well I won't continue with the "trash," but some of them actually are). My mom told me that when she dropped out of 8th grade in St. Louis in 1944 and ran off with my dad to Mississippi, she was helping some of my younger uncles with their high school homework. In the late '50s when I visited family in MS, I was derided by cousins for being that book learnin' yankee. (No a horse hair dropped in water won't turn into a snake, No that brightly colored skink lizard it not poisonous, No toad pee will not give you warts) My St. Louis public school education was either far superior to their backwater school system or perhaps we just knew the value of knowledge over folk tales and superstition.
You just encapsulated an entire Paul Krugman column in the New York Times about why Republicans actually love to have leaders who lack any expertise on the matters they are charged with tending in the public interest.
True! There's something wrong with you if you read or educate yourself anywhere but Fox.
You’re absolute correct Phillip, rational discourse has given way to tribalism. The typical responses I get when talking with these folks are: “it’s my choice; I don’t have to tell anyone why; I’m a free American.” Discussion closed.
Its a waste of time to try to discuss facts and reason with them
1871 was the year that Paris Commune was crushed by the French Army in a brutal and savage response to the "Communards." the revolutionary people of Paris. This event no doubt resonated with the fear that Whites in America and the South of revolution that could in any way challenge their power.
Not trying to put words into the mouth of Ms. Richardson, I think she avoided going into this event and the repercussions in depth to stay on focus, of the current goal of the far right and that is to stay in power through voter suppression. By eliminating African Americans and people of color from voting in close elections and especially in the South, the Fascist Republicans will maintain power.
The "Socialist" label really was revived during the McCarthy era as synonymous with the "Evil Empire" of Communism.
But yes at the heart of this fear among the Whites in power is essentially the same fear they have always had of a revenge seeking black population coming to power.
As a white guy, I've never had such fears. African Americans have somehow endured and bourne decades of prejudice, discrimination and simply being marginalized from a decent life in this nation. I welcome the day when they can not be gerrymandered and voter suppressed from the life all whites enjoy without a thought.
The stain of slavery is the curse that will destroy the nation and end Democracy alright, but by the hands of the whites who live in fearnot the blacks who are oppressed.
I’m not sure they live in fear because white people have never experienced the kind of fear that severely marginalized groups of people have experienced. And I speak of “white people” as being top of the caste ladder with privilege many white people just take for granted because it’s always been there.
I believe that what is happening now is that the caste, the decision to base all on color of skin for convenience, the idea of white privilege moving from “norm” to a racist maneuver is gnawing at folks. There is a history of guilt of many many knowing the wrong and injustice of it but accepting it because it’s easier. And who truly wants to wake up “black”tomorrow morning if given the choice in this country?
It is a greed to keep the status quo. That is the only thing that scares me. Not McCarthy, the former, Boebert, or any of the charlatans. It’s the “toppling of the ladder of caste” argument they use to incite those against equity, equality of opportunity, and freedom for all.
I think every day about how enlightened can somehow win this argument and not the darkness. Darkness. Ironic, isn’t it?
If we can get through this time and still have an intact country I think history will look back and marvel at the contribution of the many African-American thinkers of the past and present who have shared their wisdom. In my lifetime of 70 years they include Martin Luther King Jr; Malcolm X; John Lewis; Bryan Stevenson; Heather McGhee; Michele Alexander; Colson Whitehead; Ibram X. Kendi; Ava DuVernay; Ta-Nehisi Coates; Nikole Hannah-Jones; Isabel Wilkerson; August Wilson...I could go on...these are just the folks I can think of at the moment. If their thinking prevails and we white folks face our history squarely then we really will have a "more perfect union."
Well said.
Here's a possible response when being accused of being a socialist: "I am...
Sensible
Observant
Caring
Intelligent
Aware
Learned
Inspiring (or more modestly, "Inspired"
Solid and
Thoughtful
At one point in time, the conservatives did this with the word “liberal.” Then some liberals reclaimed the word by having ads that said, I am a proud, card carrying Liberal.” Might have been Dukakis, who didn’t fare well—destroyed possibly by Roger Stone and the whole Willie Horton debacle. But still, maybe we can reclaim the word “socialism.”
I've been known to say, "I'm not a socialist as you mean the word, but I am a Bernie Buddy."
Wow! Nicely done
Amen to the tribal belonging.