Thread by @calhistorian

[Thread] Let me give thanks to one thing publically: For the nakedness and hypocrisy of neoliberalism in the last decade. No longer is it necessary to parse words, speculate about secret motives, or to interpret dogwhistles to understand gov’t power in the US. #ThankfulFor /1

It is helpful to simply watch those with power express their true actions of de-humanization and greed. Their mentality is so arrogant that there is little worry about hiding their true intentions for fear of political retribution. In fact, most are empowered! /2

Yet, many pundits/politicians/intellectuals (in the broadest sense) are still chided for their direct assessments of hypocracy, corruption and greed in our current world. How much more clarity do you need??? The fog of interpretation has in essence been lifted... /3

Recognize that WORDS MATTER. And while we should stay engaged with analyzing behavior/action, what IS SAID also matters. Rhetoric represents a keyhole into ideology, intent and values — even if not immediately/transparently acted upon. /4

Be thankful that the arrogance of neoliberalism and its proponents have exposed themselves as if to say: “do it!” “Challenge me!” And we must be grateful for that. The last 50 years has been a slow moving coup wrapped in originalism and the language of ultimate liberty. /5

A certain political class has gone so far as to declare that the social contract that binds us should be designed not for mutuality, but exploitation. Not for shared security, but acceptance of domination. Not for a flowering of human dignity, but for dehumanization. /6

Anybody who wraps themselves in a blanket of human progressive teleology is ignoring possibilities and contingency that is always at the heart of human temporality. We CAN go ‘backwards.’ We CAN get worse. We CAN lose ground! /7

However, criticism without hope is also futile. Critique without imagination is harmful. So, be thankful that we can see the forest and the trees, to plot our path into a conceivable future. If we extoll those values that emerged throughout American history we can move forward /8

American history is full of what is best in humanity, and pedagogically crucial, what is worst. Like the human mind, societies struggle to follow good over evil - human over property - life over death. Critical hope is needed more than ever. Let’s continue the fight! #Confession