Calling out on the fence moderate -conservatives is counterintuitive

Kelly S.
Kelly S.
Sep 7, 2018 · 3 min read

-an anonymous op-ed.

Here’s an unpopular opinion for a leftist to hold. It’s for my fellow leftists to consider.

The op-ed supposedly written by a secret Trump admin official was a lot of things to a lot of people. A sign of hope for some, a piece of speculative fiction to others. Maybe just another distraction to keep our eyes off the Mueller investigation and Kavaunagh appointment.

But for 1.0 leftists it was another call-out opportunity. Yawn.

The callout was moral, sure. How can someone stand for x-harmful Trump policy then suddenly act like they’re dissenting? Lol at them. Lookit me loling about them. Watch ME point MY finger at THEM!

Well if your goal in calling this out is to just push the moral message, that's fine. Basic, but no judgement. If you think people who read your opinions online will think differently, maybe even think like you if you share it persuasively, okay there's some strategy I guess.

But... Consider this.

The right literally weaponizes every single thing they can against us. They weaponize identity, science, behaviorism, intellectualism, ethical consumption habits, empathy, honesty, vulnerability, stupidity, carelessness - there is not a single choice, lifestyle, belief or behavior that they don't track and exploit to serve their authoritarian goals. They do this as individuals, because they get off on hurting people for sport. They do this as ultra well funded organizations, using handbooks and guidelines known to demoralize and manipulate with the end goal of dominance over perceived inferiors as long term policy implementation. Also for sport. This is a game they study and play better than us, because they believe so deeply in hierarchies of worth and human value.

It's what binds them.

When they give us a message that can be used to turn moderate conservatives against them, it’s an opportunity for more than yet another callout. You can’t weaponize morality against an opposition unless it’s listening to you. If you’re in a left bubble online, nobody who disagrees with you gives a shit about your callout (weaponized morality). The callout is for you and those who agree to increase group cohesiveness. And that’s functional and good in some regards.

But if you really think we're fighting Nazis and friends of Nazis under the Trump presidency in an unprecedented way, then you have to think beyond constantly pointing out that they're bad and you're good.

Guess what: laws and systems of oppression don't give a fuck if you think you're good.

I’d rather give somebody on the fence a hand to help them to my side at this point, because I seriously think their participation in the other side is dangerous. It’s dangerous for me, everyone I care about, and for them. Fascism is bad for everybody. That’s the point.

If you have to see it militantly, consider them potential defectors. If they’re waving a white flag, consider taking them in for tea and thank them for handing over enemy secrets. Shaming them for having participated in evil may make them feel so isolated that find they have nowhere to go but back to the enemy - their only friend.

Written by

Kelly S.

Kelly is a cute beanie baby who writes about politics, psychology, activism and information warfare.

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