I'd say the memes are tongue in cheek, as in the people (Reb Masel for example) posting these things are pushing back on a strawman who's accusing them of being radicalized, and they're responding "this isn't radicalism, it's simply human decency." That aside, love this piece. Let's get radical.
I agree with you, and wrestled with the knowledge that I was taking the memes too seriously haha. But ultimately my thought is that in times like the one we’re in now there’s a real risk that comes with framing basic human decency as radical.
absolutely, agreed. there can never be too much pushback on the shifting of the Overton window. we can’t let them convince us that being kind is abnormal.
"Liberalism tells us that this discussion will improve society, but when we’re up against fascists who wield discourse dishonestly and seize power under a shroud of lies our calculations must change."
I really like this quote, because it emphasizes the dire situation we're in. This liberal solution requires a liberal framework, where both sides are playing by the liberal rules. Capital has always played by liberal rules and cheated into its own. Time to build a ruleset we can win by! ✊
You deserve a Pulitzer just for "Schroedinger's radicals."
I agree with and appreciate all of this, except that you imply being radical is somehow strange, different, "abnormal." I disagree. If you're trying to get to the root of things, the ordinary everyday truth of the matter, where rubber meets road, that is nothing more than a profound embracing of reality. If reality is that all humans are empathetic, then systems must change to reflect that REALITY. Brilliant piece. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this piece, very clear, great read, and a good reminder. In terms of community, I have been thinking of late that asking those of us who have been disenfranchised and alienated from others to join community may be too much of a leap. Integrating into an already existing group or effort may be a lot to ask. If someone finds it hard to leave their house as do many post-covid, going somewhere to meet with people they don't already know... Also, we may be leaving intact the root of what made communities alienating and difficult for some of us. So I am wanting to begin with frienship. Could we build a community around us by befriending others, a community not rooted in family and state, but in friendships that, in some cases, turn into allies, political action and mutual care atoms. We also may have to think about radicalizing our friendships... I know this isn't what your piece is about... it evoked this as I think about similar subjects.
Two things did it for me. First, a developer destroyed a forest that was my playground as a kid. I have had a life long enmity towards developers ever since. That was the initial alienation that set me up for future radicalism. Then there was the ferment at universities during the late 60s, and early 70s. Kent State etc. But what caused me to cross the Rubicon between liberalism and out and out socialism, was the overthrow of Allende in Chile in 1973. There were two sides in the world. The side represented by Kissinger and Pinochet, and that represented by Allende. I chose Allende, and have been an active leftist every since. Will be so until I am put in the ground.
what radicalized me? seeing the school to prison pipeline up close (working with traumatized kids who were designated as "emotionally disturbed" and shunted off to a for profit 'non public school' where very little learning took place, just more trauma) & working at an agency serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault & human trafficking. nothing like hearing that the cops are refusing to even try to arrest a known trafficker / abuser make you really think long and hard about what they're even for. (the cops in my city actually get a lot of training on these topics but it doesn't change the messed up victim-blaming beliefs of the LE system)
I am reminded of how words once overused lose their potency and it makes trends like this sometimes feel like an intentional effort to undermine the power of our words, like The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Soon “omg what radicalized you” will be used as a patronizing remark to downplay the significance of another’s frustrations plunging the idea of radicalization further into inactivity. The fact that they all misunderstand empathy is a whole other discussion. At this point the whole world just needs to take a vow of silence.
I was born ridiculously empathetic. I also suffer from depression. It's not a great combination. My dad was the same way. He was also one of the kindest people I've ever known.
Love this post. After being at a stage where I have educated the people around me and found a community of like minded people I've been struggling with the "what's next?" aspect of organising/radicalisation. It's felt like I'm in this in between place where I feel hopeless but I know there is more that can be done.
Other than that, I encounter too many people who are happy to argue with conservatives online and share reactionary content I just want to tell them that there is more you could be doing! Baby steps though.
I'd say the memes are tongue in cheek, as in the people (Reb Masel for example) posting these things are pushing back on a strawman who's accusing them of being radicalized, and they're responding "this isn't radicalism, it's simply human decency." That aside, love this piece. Let's get radical.
I agree with you, and wrestled with the knowledge that I was taking the memes too seriously haha. But ultimately my thought is that in times like the one we’re in now there’s a real risk that comes with framing basic human decency as radical.
absolutely, agreed. there can never be too much pushback on the shifting of the Overton window. we can’t let them convince us that being kind is abnormal.
Josh, I appreciate the lens you write with.
It’s encouraging and holds no inkling of blame or righteousness.
Rather, respect and understanding of varying readiness, while maintaining laser focus on collective action.
Thank you so much Shaista! This is incredibly affirming
"Liberalism tells us that this discussion will improve society, but when we’re up against fascists who wield discourse dishonestly and seize power under a shroud of lies our calculations must change."
I really like this quote, because it emphasizes the dire situation we're in. This liberal solution requires a liberal framework, where both sides are playing by the liberal rules. Capital has always played by liberal rules and cheated into its own. Time to build a ruleset we can win by! ✊
You deserve a Pulitzer just for "Schroedinger's radicals."
I agree with and appreciate all of this, except that you imply being radical is somehow strange, different, "abnormal." I disagree. If you're trying to get to the root of things, the ordinary everyday truth of the matter, where rubber meets road, that is nothing more than a profound embracing of reality. If reality is that all humans are empathetic, then systems must change to reflect that REALITY. Brilliant piece. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this piece, very clear, great read, and a good reminder. In terms of community, I have been thinking of late that asking those of us who have been disenfranchised and alienated from others to join community may be too much of a leap. Integrating into an already existing group or effort may be a lot to ask. If someone finds it hard to leave their house as do many post-covid, going somewhere to meet with people they don't already know... Also, we may be leaving intact the root of what made communities alienating and difficult for some of us. So I am wanting to begin with frienship. Could we build a community around us by befriending others, a community not rooted in family and state, but in friendships that, in some cases, turn into allies, political action and mutual care atoms. We also may have to think about radicalizing our friendships... I know this isn't what your piece is about... it evoked this as I think about similar subjects.
Thanks for making this incredibly important point, Joshua.
What first radicalized me, I think, was the arrest of Leonard Peltier.
I get it. And I hadn’t, as I cried my heart out for Gaza. Thank you!
Two things did it for me. First, a developer destroyed a forest that was my playground as a kid. I have had a life long enmity towards developers ever since. That was the initial alienation that set me up for future radicalism. Then there was the ferment at universities during the late 60s, and early 70s. Kent State etc. But what caused me to cross the Rubicon between liberalism and out and out socialism, was the overthrow of Allende in Chile in 1973. There were two sides in the world. The side represented by Kissinger and Pinochet, and that represented by Allende. I chose Allende, and have been an active leftist every since. Will be so until I am put in the ground.
what radicalized me? seeing the school to prison pipeline up close (working with traumatized kids who were designated as "emotionally disturbed" and shunted off to a for profit 'non public school' where very little learning took place, just more trauma) & working at an agency serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault & human trafficking. nothing like hearing that the cops are refusing to even try to arrest a known trafficker / abuser make you really think long and hard about what they're even for. (the cops in my city actually get a lot of training on these topics but it doesn't change the messed up victim-blaming beliefs of the LE system)
I am reminded of how words once overused lose their potency and it makes trends like this sometimes feel like an intentional effort to undermine the power of our words, like The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Soon “omg what radicalized you” will be used as a patronizing remark to downplay the significance of another’s frustrations plunging the idea of radicalization further into inactivity. The fact that they all misunderstand empathy is a whole other discussion. At this point the whole world just needs to take a vow of silence.
I was born ridiculously empathetic. I also suffer from depression. It's not a great combination. My dad was the same way. He was also one of the kindest people I've ever known.
What radicalized me?
Black armbands. Moratorium. Vietnam.
Been doing this for a while now. Sometimes it seems like not much changes.
The question now, ‘what action based on what program.’ I favor prosecution for genocide and crimes against humanity and war crimes against peace. I’d base said action on this: https://www.wsws.org/en/special/pages/sep/us/principles.html
I wrote about it here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/ananomisinhell/p/talkin-bout-my-radicalization?r=4yhf6e&utm_medium=ios
Wonderful piece. Lots of useful information for those of us who want to be part of the revolution.
Love this post. After being at a stage where I have educated the people around me and found a community of like minded people I've been struggling with the "what's next?" aspect of organising/radicalisation. It's felt like I'm in this in between place where I feel hopeless but I know there is more that can be done.
Other than that, I encounter too many people who are happy to argue with conservatives online and share reactionary content I just want to tell them that there is more you could be doing! Baby steps though.