"If progressive movements – that broad network of individuals and formal and informal groupings that self-define as leftist, woke, queer, feminist, democratic socialist, progressive, liberal, socialist, anti-capitalist, antiracist and so much more – are to maintain any legitimacy, to survive, thrive and advance the better world we seek, we need to ensure that advocates for atrocities are disqualified from the appearance and reality of influence and leadership in *our movements*."
In my view, these "progressive" movements are simply no longer progressive. Since September 2001 (the UN World Conference Against Racism in Durban and then the jihadist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York of 9/11 -- both deeply Jew-hating occurrences rationalized, condoned and/or welcomed by progressives as evidence of the faults of western foreign policy), and then since 7 October 2023, progressivism has been so fundamentally corrupted and distorted by its perverse association with and full-throated support of barbaric, regressive Islamist and allied neofascist movements and tendencies around the world, that it is negated and no longer exists. This sad, sad development in fact is a continuation of “progressive“ support for brutal and dictatorial Marxist-Leninist regimes and movements around the world, which were purportedly anti-imperial and revolutionary, but were in fact the cause of the horrific immiseration and oppression of more than half of humanity.
Once a committed personal and professional supporter of “progressive" causes internationally and then in Canada, I’m no longer a progressive, not because my values have changed appreciably but because those of progressivism no longer meaningfully exist. The marching, chanting, donating and endlessly meeting and strategizing army of progressives are the useful idiot supporters and enablers of burgeoning fascism in our time.
So for me, these are no longer "our movements“, Pat.
"If progressive movements – that broad network of individuals and formal and informal groupings that self-define as leftist, woke, queer, feminist, democratic socialist, progressive, liberal, socialist, anti-capitalist, antiracist and so much more – are to maintain any legitimacy, to survive, thrive and advance the better world we seek, we need to ensure that advocates for atrocities are disqualified from the appearance and reality of influence and leadership in *our movements*."
In my view, these "progressive" movements are simply no longer progressive. Since September 2001 (the UN World Conference Against Racism in Durban and then the jihadist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York of 9/11 -- both deeply Jew-hating occurrences rationalized, condoned and/or welcomed by progressives as evidence of the faults of western foreign policy), and then since 7 October 2023, progressivism has been so fundamentally corrupted and distorted by its perverse association with and full-throated support of barbaric, regressive Islamist and allied neofascist movements and tendencies around the world, that it is negated and no longer exists. This sad, sad development in fact is a continuation of “progressive“ support for brutal and dictatorial Marxist-Leninist regimes and movements around the world, which were purportedly anti-imperial and revolutionary, but were in fact the cause of the horrific immiseration and oppression of more than half of humanity.
Once a committed personal and professional supporter of “progressive" causes internationally and then in Canada, I’m no longer a progressive, not because my values have changed appreciably but because those of progressivism no longer meaningfully exist. The marching, chanting, donating and endlessly meeting and strategizing army of progressives are the useful idiot supporters and enablers of burgeoning fascism in our time.
So for me, these are no longer "our movements“, Pat.
I get it. Everything you say is fair. EXCEPT … you and I are still progressives. THEY are not.
https://pat604johnson.substack.com/p/fauxgressives-for-palestine
In the 40's and 50's, some labor and liberal groups had a cordon sanitaire to keep actual Communists out. The same should be true for antisemites now.
It can be done. But it requires political will. Leftists like Jagmeet Singh right now are feeding the crocodile hoping it eats him last.
Absolutely spot-on. Thank you for this. Would that more people on the progressive side of the political spectrum would listen to you.
Would that they would! Haha. From your lips to … well, their ears.
Thank you 🙏.
Hey Pat,
Sorry if my long comment below regarding “our (progressive) movements“ was dispiriting!
You are doing wonderful, amazing work. Please keep it up.
Here’s a link to an interesting and important article:
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/is-anti-zionism-antisemitism-it-doesnt-matter/
Best
No stress! I wasn’t disspirited (at least any more than usual)! I’m only just catching up on all my messages!~