I'm not taking issue with the main assertion of the article, but aren't these kind of arguments, I don't know, a little behind the curve?
It's obvious there isn't systematic racism (against blacks anyway). What is a little less obvious is that anyone who this article would reach has probably already reached this conclusion. Maybe they are looking for a little pat on the head or just reading it for some ammunition to talk about the issue with their peers.
And even less obvious, but worth asking: are there any of the readers' peers left who haven't heard these kinds of arguments before? Are there any non-deaf ears that might hear these arguments and be persuaded? Any being preached to that aren't already members of the choir?
I don't know exactly what the next stage should be -- bringing people up to speed on JQ/WQ; organizing socially and politically; solidifying censorship-proof communication channels; focusing on ways to shame authorities who display indefensible cowardice -- but there needs to be some kind of thinking toward the next step.
Otherwise they might as well just rename the publication American Duh and keep writing articles about obvious things.
/Rant
OK, that is a great response to a post and it deserves a good reply. Sadly, I don't think I will be able to do it justice.
Maybe they are looking for a little pat on the head or just reading it for some ammunition to talk about the issue with their peers.
I do often post links to articles that can be used as reference or for study purposes. It helps to be fluent in the topic if you're going to engage someone in a debate.
And even less obvious, but worth asking: are there any people left, other than children, who haven't heard these kinds of arguments before? Are there any non-deaf ears that might hear these arguments and be persuaded? Any that aren't members of the choir that are being preached to?
Here on Poal we're often preaching to the choir but there are a few people with somewhat differing views and maybe they can be reached.
I guess I hadn't really been able to put this into words until I saw the article, but this is a bit of a crisis of mine lately. It goes deeper than online articles, and I think encapsulates pretty much the behavior of everyone who is sane right now.
Everyone who I consider good people, and there are lots of them around, are all just sitting around saying things that are obvious. It's comforting to hear people agree in closed circles because you're no longer allowed to say these obvious things out in the open (like on Facebook or at work for example). But we're stuck there. The comfort of hearing your peer say "oh, yes, yes, no, they shouldn't be doing that" SATISFIES THE NEED. It makes the bad feeling go away and relieves the pressure we're all feeling. For now.
Meanwhile, our lines of communication are being cut off. Our rights are being taken away. Our history is being erased. The unthinking masses are not only being riled up to commit violence against us, but are being shown that it is tolerated and they will get away with it. This is moving toward genocide.
We need to act. I am the wrong person to prescribe the action because I'm retarded and lazy and kind of a fuckup and am probably being monitored in various algorithm-driven ways. But maybe if I could bring the right people together, persuade the right people to act, keep the infiltrators away, then something good could come about.
Maybe I need to bring Underworld back and think it out in writing.
edit: But the point is, it has to come to some real-world actions.
I am right there with you, man. I am probably the only one in my (slowly diminishing) circle of friends that still speaks his mind on anything. If someone is comfortable expressing a *leftist" view and asking for my opinion I am completely fine with giving it. No holds barred.
Maybe 'friends' is the wrong word. How about acquaintances? That's better.
In any event, I think organizing with others to act is the wrong way to go about it, unless you have absolute concrete trust in the people you are with. You're opening yourself up for a no-knock FBI raid in the wee hours of the morning. Act as an individual and serve as an example.
Maybe I need to bring Underworld back and think it out in writing.
I don't know what that means.
(post is archived)