Too much noise over the weekend trying to suggest that the modern left has to be more accommodating of the right so that the right does not become more reactionary. Some thoughts/rants. 1/
It is only recently that the left has started reclaiming its mainstream space. It has started ignoring the don't-wake-up-your-neighbour type warnings. (IMHO, obviously) 2/
The reactionary right is not some fringe or a small minority or a vulnerable group that we should guard against further marginalization or condescension. They are the ones in power now. Almost everywhere in the world. They set the narrative. They are the mainstream. 3/
The left to adopt a fake centrism in the spirit of accommodation is not just bad in strategy but also abominable in principle. These battles are not abstract philosophical battles. Many of the battles are truth v falsehood or atleast truth v hype. 4/
Between
"Hindus are in danger" and
"Minorities are in danger",
one statement is a million times truer than the other.
To equate both of them to "accommodate," or not piss off, the right is plain BS. 5/
"Hindus are in danger" and
"Minorities are in danger",
one statement is a million times truer than the other.
To equate both of them to "accommodate," or not piss off, the right is plain BS. 5/
Not unlike how
"All Lives Matter" and "Black Lives Matter" have simply been two irreconcilably divergent views in the US. 6/
"All Lives Matter" and "Black Lives Matter" have simply been two irreconcilably divergent views in the US. 6/
The left ought to be as liberal and as progressive in its positions. That is the whole point of the left!
Most of these issues are more black and white than grey. 7/
Most of these issues are more black and white than grey. 7/
Seeing grey, where there is simply black and white is not being "accommodating", but being dishonest. 8/
Thoothukudi battle for eg. is a battle between a state in bed with a powerful corporation & the people. To see "antisocial elements" or the church's hand is just the right's wishful thinking. The left need not engage with those narratives just to be "accommodating". 9/
The left should not be too worried about trying to explain its "hypocrisies" either. 10/
The poor, marginalised, disabled, women, dalits, advisasis, minorities
> Environment
> State
~= small businesses
> big corporations
will always be the left's priority ordering in protection of rights and interests. So be it. 11/
> Environment
> State
~= small businesses
> big corporations
will always be the left's priority ordering in protection of rights and interests. So be it. 11/
Apart from a few invariants such as that, the left need not always homogeneously sing one tune and take the same positions in hard contemporary debates such as free speech v hate speech; prohibition; or even fair trial v free speech. 12/
Those citing some of these surface inconsistencies trying to discredit the modern left should perhaps spend atleast half as much time and effort trying to question and hold those in power accountable. 13/13
