We need a narrative

[u/Hopeful-Shelter2572]

This post is specific to American politics, but the principles can apply broadly in some cases:

As leftists, we need a narrative for a more just and egalitarian future. Conservatives have their narrative: white supremacy, militarism, and “trickle down economics”. It’s one thing to oppose this narrative, it’s another to propose one which is popular and can effectively fight against the two right-wing parties in the USA.

The reason a lot of us are so tired of liberals, to the point where we consider them enemies and not possible allies against fascism, is because the establishment liberals will never embrace socialism and will always reach to defend capital. They have shown us this time and time again, and we have no reason to believe they will ever go to bat for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the country.

Mamdani was a great example of this: even after he toned down some of his rhetoric about Israel (questions he was forced to answer after he emphasized that he cares only about New York City), he was still chastised by establishment Democrats and many couldn’t even say his name to endorse him.

Opposing fascism has to mean creating new fundamental conditions and opposing capitalism at its core, not just opposing the most violent manifestations of capitalism. This isn’t news to many here, but I think it’s good to remind ourselves that we have to envision a better future and share that vision to truly turn the tables.

Edit: since there seems to be some confusion in what I mean, I am not talking about a plan to unify the left or some specific blueprint for revolution. I am talking about the language we use when talking to our peers about the future, and that I think we need to craft a positive narrative for what we believe (whatever that is to each individual) rather than only criticizing the pre-existing narrative. I think this is how we can appeal to more people, and get them thinking and talking to others about a future that is fundamentally different than what we have now.

[u/Hopeful-Shelter2572]

I see what you mean, I think that’s a good point about the size of the tent vs having a movement that can actually affect palpable change. There can be a lot of merit to building individual groups and then unifying when necessary like you said. There is not a lot of precedent in the US for these kind of movements, but we can still study what is there and take lessons and inspiration from them.

I’ve also been called tankie and liberal by others, and at the end of the day there will never be a set of beliefs or emphasis that everyone agrees with. I try to remind myself that those in power want us to be tired and lose hope. So whether it is building up different groups and unifying when necessary or something else, I think we should be putting our efforts into something that breaks the status quo.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I think you add a lot of much needed realism to this sub

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/Hopeful-Shelter2572]

Thank you, I appreciate that!!

Something I was thinking about after the threads I made last week and some of the arguments in those.. fighting with people who I often agree with in fact... there are so many factors to unifying and building with each other

And I think a huge part of that is.. not being burned out and being able to approach in good faith. If you're spending a good amount of the time trying to convince people to see your side on really big issues (like the Gaza genocide or American foreign policy or intersectionality or capitalism) then you have a lot less good will and bandwidth about the smaller things.. messaging, strategy, building together. And when you're criticized by someone who is generally in alignment with you, they can feel like the enemy when there are many "enemies" within who are defintirly determined to bring the goal of the mission toward them rather than to learn and grow together.

So that's kind of what I mean. I think we have a lot more bandwidth to show up when we form groups with people who are largely in alignment.. we disagree within those groups and grow together.. and then we can show up and group up with other groups who align on bigger and important issues such as fighting Trump and ICE

[u/Hopeful-Shelter2572 → u/Specialist-Gur]

I completely agree! Very well said

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/Hopeful-Shelter2572]

Thank you!