Great article. I love your use of language and your appraisal of the pros and challenges of activism. I would call out the beast as capitalism so people can identify the system causing our suffering. Thank you.
Thanks, Karyn! And yes, I do ponder the pros and cons of naming concepts. On the one hand, it is important to use clear words to identify key concepts like capitalism, class, race, imperialism, and others that accurately describe our reality, especially ones that have been demonized and obfuscated by anti-Marxist, anti-union, anti-Communist etc. narratives. On the other hand--and this is the hand I'm going for in this piece--given the reality that these terms have been turned into battlegrounds, with all kinds of meanings and connotations forced onto them, especially in the US, sometimes it seems a good idea to find different ways of saying things, such that the meaning gets past the smoke generated around the particular term. Not to concede the term or to muddle the concept, but to avoid the nearly automatic closing of the mind and raising of hackles that happens for a lot of people around these much attacked terms, with the goal of engaging folks directly on their content. Your thoughts?
I agree that we must use language that people can understand and feel connected to. I try to do that on the blog, and I also want to introduce the terms that call out the problems in the world and emphasize class. You do a good job of describing concepts in a relatable way. My main gripe with other writings is when people do not attribute problems like war and poverty to the system. Ellen wrote a good piece on this: https://multiracialunity.org/2020/07/12/its-time-to-name-names-capitalism-communism/
I want to add a third basic question, if you'll consider adding it to your list. I'm activist on issues that people who agree with me on other issues may disagree quite vehemently with me on. *Depending on the issue,* I find common cause with people who identify as radicals, progressives, and libertarians. I refuse the whole notion of enemies, and division; I think in terms of ecology and each of us having a niche in the ecology when I think about diversity of opinion among people who do not accept the master narrative, but respond to it in diverse ways. Dear Abby, can this marriage be saved? Do I still have a place in the activist Beloved Community?
Great article. I love your use of language and your appraisal of the pros and challenges of activism. I would call out the beast as capitalism so people can identify the system causing our suffering. Thank you.
Thanks, Karyn! And yes, I do ponder the pros and cons of naming concepts. On the one hand, it is important to use clear words to identify key concepts like capitalism, class, race, imperialism, and others that accurately describe our reality, especially ones that have been demonized and obfuscated by anti-Marxist, anti-union, anti-Communist etc. narratives. On the other hand--and this is the hand I'm going for in this piece--given the reality that these terms have been turned into battlegrounds, with all kinds of meanings and connotations forced onto them, especially in the US, sometimes it seems a good idea to find different ways of saying things, such that the meaning gets past the smoke generated around the particular term. Not to concede the term or to muddle the concept, but to avoid the nearly automatic closing of the mind and raising of hackles that happens for a lot of people around these much attacked terms, with the goal of engaging folks directly on their content. Your thoughts?
I agree that we must use language that people can understand and feel connected to. I try to do that on the blog, and I also want to introduce the terms that call out the problems in the world and emphasize class. You do a good job of describing concepts in a relatable way. My main gripe with other writings is when people do not attribute problems like war and poverty to the system. Ellen wrote a good piece on this: https://multiracialunity.org/2020/07/12/its-time-to-name-names-capitalism-communism/
I want to add a third basic question, if you'll consider adding it to your list. I'm activist on issues that people who agree with me on other issues may disagree quite vehemently with me on. *Depending on the issue,* I find common cause with people who identify as radicals, progressives, and libertarians. I refuse the whole notion of enemies, and division; I think in terms of ecology and each of us having a niche in the ecology when I think about diversity of opinion among people who do not accept the master narrative, but respond to it in diverse ways. Dear Abby, can this marriage be saved? Do I still have a place in the activist Beloved Community?
A great and necessary question! I plan to write about this in the near future and will look forward to your input!