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PopeBeanie posted an update 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Just dove into the most common usages out there of the word “lefties”. I realized, while considering myself “left” on the political spectrum, I rarely use the words “lefties” or “righties”, unless it’s in a less emotionally derogatory, (hopefully) more enlightening polysci context.
My mellow’s been jaded by overdoses of hate in social media, with words thrown around more for effect than to enhance substance or constructive dialog.
For more negative/finger-pointing/pejorative contexts, I might use labels like “religious-apologist”, e.g. especially those on any side of political/cult/religious spectrums supporting or revering religious militarism, or openly tolerating terrorism as acceptable means to fertilize/force cultural progress. They’re hallmarks of BOTH far-left and far-right ideologues. I still fly a lefty flag, while (e.g.) flying an atheist flag even when technically I’m only an agnostic atheist. I try to remember and respect what people reasonably call themselves more than what others prejudicially call them.
I really hate hype, used to just grab attention or present click-bait headlines. I’m sooooo tired of seeing click-bait used by even the best (imo) news and opinion presenters. The challenge now is how to quickly filter over-hyped from reasonably hyped news and opinions. Add AI now that algorithmically amplify it, like sugar in soft drinks. I guess by nature these day, I’m trying to oppose labelism unless it’s a label I use to help contextualize myself. I call myself a geek, even when some others believe it’s self-deprecating.
One more example. I listen to virology and other medical topics. Recently one presenter has started to call members of RFK’s newly appointed vaccination board “morons”, which comes from emotion in addition to understanding science. Of course there’s some truth in it, but the only moron that really matters in the big picture is RFK himself, and the moron(s) that he reports to. And/or moron voters. IMO, it’s those voters that we all need to reach, else as we saw in 2024, name-calling and division mostly solidified MAGA and anti-vax resentment.
Pope, you are no lefty. The ones i am referring to are cultists. They are not receptive to any information that may contradict their world view. In all of my dealings none are willing to read or listen to viewpoints that are outside their circle. I have offered to read or listen whomever they pick. I have done that and then critiqued the hell out of their lefty heroes. Not one has reciprocated and critiqued what i have offered up. I get called a racist. Banned. Everything they represent is inimical to liberal values.
Thanks. But (lol), I think I will still call myself a lefty, even if progressive is a more respected term… and I don’t even know if that is true. So I’m *also* progressive.
I know you mean well, and I also appreciate other speakers you offer, especially the women because their experiences are so often more first-hand than the men’s.
Don’t get mad at me now… They can also be PoC to me, if that’s what they call themselves. I think I use my labels more as evolving human constructions of context than as dependably meaningful and static indicators of personal or group characteristics. (I am an alien in space taking notes on the most significant behaviors, and the most emotionally humorous or tragic.
There is no question you have identified an issue. What did you call it, labelism? What is in a name? So many labels are LOADED. Imagine a lefty/progressive hearing MAGA or reading it. Conversely a Trump cultist who hears/reads progressive/lefty. You know the parts of the brain that register emotion are excited. If the label fits you must never acquit. Guilty as charged! No jury. No trial. Condemned to Siberia, excommunicated, belittled, dehumanized. Therefore no reason to engage, to debate, to question sources, to ponder, to research, to reflect. Dead in the water and the divide is permanent.
I just wrote a few paragraphs, finally seeming to be crafted for me more than you. Suffice to say in a shorter way, I used AI to summarize common usage of the word “lefty”, in a polisci context. I’m finally convinced that your usage of the word is valid. I felt defeated, at first, maybe even guilty of ignoring reality like a post-modernist might.
Thank you, it’s been on my mind, strangely, for a year or two. Cheers to multiple PoVs aiming at harmonious ends… in spite of pathologically powerful bad guys.