I know that Norway, I think, has systems in their school that teach kids how to recognize propaganda and misinformation. It would be amazing if we could start something like that here.
Over the course of the last century, the American left has been so often oppressed and mischaracterized by the right that it seems to many of them that what they desire for society are pipe dreams which will never come true. And that's why many of them stop voting...
A broad plan that correctly portrays children as victims or potential victims with concrete solutions is beautiful.
Ideally, victimization would not just focus on immigrants, but also include our nation’s poor (rural as well as urban) who have lost: access to food via rollbacks on SNAP, encroaching higher prices, encroaching unemployment; access to healthy foods previously provided by local farmers; access to good teachers through encroachment of voucher programs for the rich that robs public schools; access to childcare via defunding of Head Start, which will further impoverish families because parents may have to stay home; and access to healthcare due to defunding of Medicare.
It’s about the kids! Violence in schools affects them all. Poverty affects US schoolchildren, an inclusive group.
One of the BEST things I’ve read defining why we’ve lost elections. This should be read by EVERYONE who wants maga out of power and our democracy restored. I worked in student government in college and found the attitudes you describe most pervasive in liberal/progressive organizations. And they’d utilize all the negative buzzwords in attempts at shaming one to “their side”. Also, having lived in what once was a red state and now on the verge of purple, the hubris you describe often frustrated attempts at election headway. I can’t thank you enough for stating what NEEDED to be said!
Great ideas! We teach our children not to engage with strangers they don’t know, or what to if someone tries to grab them. We really shouldn’t have to worry about government agents doing the same, but here we are. Kids need to be informed and taught what action to take.
But these dumb dumbs who selected ‘him’? After all the horrible things he’s done and represents? And what he said he would do? I’m always open to people who realise and admit mistakes, and u turn, and eat their ego.
But these dumb dumbs — the world is paying the price now. Untold will suffer. What a shame.
One big problem is that we mainly talk to each other. We analyze incipient fascism to the ninth decimal point but never distill any of that into simple messages
The other thing is the left is happy to allow the right to speak lie after lie as if those things "are too small to oppose," but they rouse themselves to obstruct any progressive who attempts to put a beneficial plan in action. I've often felt the centrist liberals are deliberately trying to derail our efforts.
So many of the liberal centrists are valedictorian types who have succeeded in life by meeting every expectation of academia and business. For most of their life, their messaging has been judged by people like professors and bosses, who were paid to listen. The ruling powers in those environments reward lengthy, completist screeds and 'showing your work.' They penalize messaging that might move people's emotions. So your average Centrist (organization man/woman) has comprehensive training in being boring and easy to ignore.
Welp, my Substack is all about improving liberal messaging to counter right wing bad faith and media dominance. So if that appeals to you, please subscribe and tell your subscribers to do the same. https://jimryan.substack.com/
I agree with part of what you say. I fully agree that it’s futile and counter-productive to “debate” their fascism. Messaging is lost to fox and their ilk. Their simple answers are more attractive than our complex narratives. Not sure kids can stand up to kidnappers….Not sure MAGA gives a shit about kids. They haven’t had anything to offer on school shootings except more guns in school.
I know that Norway, I think, has systems in their school that teach kids how to recognize propaganda and misinformation. It would be amazing if we could start something like that here.
Over the course of the last century, the American left has been so often oppressed and mischaracterized by the right that it seems to many of them that what they desire for society are pipe dreams which will never come true. And that's why many of them stop voting...
I think that's an accurate and unfortunate assessment
Yes. The best President America never had was Eugene Debs.
Excellent. I love this !
A broad plan that correctly portrays children as victims or potential victims with concrete solutions is beautiful.
Ideally, victimization would not just focus on immigrants, but also include our nation’s poor (rural as well as urban) who have lost: access to food via rollbacks on SNAP, encroaching higher prices, encroaching unemployment; access to healthy foods previously provided by local farmers; access to good teachers through encroachment of voucher programs for the rich that robs public schools; access to childcare via defunding of Head Start, which will further impoverish families because parents may have to stay home; and access to healthcare due to defunding of Medicare.
It’s about the kids! Violence in schools affects them all. Poverty affects US schoolchildren, an inclusive group.
Thank you!
Thank you! Yes let's keep building on this!
Please check out this post from Stephanie Church....she's on the track you are suggesting which I agree is very effective: https://substack.com/home/post/p-161915087
One of the BEST things I’ve read defining why we’ve lost elections. This should be read by EVERYONE who wants maga out of power and our democracy restored. I worked in student government in college and found the attitudes you describe most pervasive in liberal/progressive organizations. And they’d utilize all the negative buzzwords in attempts at shaming one to “their side”. Also, having lived in what once was a red state and now on the verge of purple, the hubris you describe often frustrated attempts at election headway. I can’t thank you enough for stating what NEEDED to be said!
Thank you so much Valerie! I appreciate that! I'm slowly building a nice following but your support and shares make all the difference!
Excellent idea! Very actionable solution. Love it. Hugs, D~
Great ideas! We teach our children not to engage with strangers they don’t know, or what to if someone tries to grab them. We really shouldn’t have to worry about government agents doing the same, but here we are. Kids need to be informed and taught what action to take.
You’re right. My logical brain half agrees. Yes.
But these dumb dumbs who selected ‘him’? After all the horrible things he’s done and represents? And what he said he would do? I’m always open to people who realise and admit mistakes, and u turn, and eat their ego.
But these dumb dumbs — the world is paying the price now. Untold will suffer. What a shame.
Our job is to educate them. But yes, i waste energy on anger too.
One big problem is that we mainly talk to each other. We analyze incipient fascism to the ninth decimal point but never distill any of that into simple messages
The other thing is the left is happy to allow the right to speak lie after lie as if those things "are too small to oppose," but they rouse themselves to obstruct any progressive who attempts to put a beneficial plan in action. I've often felt the centrist liberals are deliberately trying to derail our efforts.
So many of the liberal centrists are valedictorian types who have succeeded in life by meeting every expectation of academia and business. For most of their life, their messaging has been judged by people like professors and bosses, who were paid to listen. The ruling powers in those environments reward lengthy, completist screeds and 'showing your work.' They penalize messaging that might move people's emotions. So your average Centrist (organization man/woman) has comprehensive training in being boring and easy to ignore.
That's a very good way of putting it.
Welp, my Substack is all about improving liberal messaging to counter right wing bad faith and media dominance. So if that appeals to you, please subscribe and tell your subscribers to do the same. https://jimryan.substack.com/
I've added your publication to my recommendations!
Thank you! And I've done the same for you!
I agree with part of what you say. I fully agree that it’s futile and counter-productive to “debate” their fascism. Messaging is lost to fox and their ilk. Their simple answers are more attractive than our complex narratives. Not sure kids can stand up to kidnappers….Not sure MAGA gives a shit about kids. They haven’t had anything to offer on school shootings except more guns in school.
My focus is on getting control of the messaging.
Bingo. It’s our greatest weakness, as you indicated.
We definitely need to do so.