Angelis Dania
Jul 27, 2017 · 2 min read

I think you’re failing to make a critical distinction here.

To say that Caitlin wants people to “ align with an alt right nationalist” is generalising somewhat. To be specific, she means that when people from different political or cultural spectrums share a common goal, it would be more effective to work together towards just that goal. This does not equate to endorsing any of the individuals or groups working towards that goal, or agreeing with or supporting any of their other views. It just means gaining better traction and a broader reach by leveraging these opposing or non-agreeing sections of society. That would improve the chances of making a meaningful change.

I believe also that part of her point was addressing the fact that “ fellow citizens tear each other to shreds, the left and right”, when she advocated setting differences aside to progress a common interest.

For example, I despise John McCain and have zero respect for him as a person, but if he and his supporters shockingly came out tomorrow and campaigned for an end to US intervention in Syria, I would stand with them in that cause without hesitation, and encourage everyone else to do so, for the chance to achieve this worthy goal. That would not mean that I suddenly like him, or that I agree with his other views, or that I’ve forgiven him for the horrors he’s visited on the Syrian people, among others. It’s not something I would be doing for him or his supporters, it’s something I’d be doing for the Syrian people.

I think that a response to Caitlin’s views expressed in her article, if it’s going to be thoroughly critical, should necessarily address the effectiveness of her suggested actions.

More importantly, I think the failure to distinguish between working together with a hated or politically/ideologically opposed individual or group to progress a shared goal, and endorsing/aligning with a hated or politically/ideologically opposed individual or group, is one of the reasons why the “Left” is so divided, and far less strong and effective than it can and should be.

    Angelis Dania

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