Very thoughtful writing. Yes, the Great Replacement and other mythological thoughts represent attempts to explain a sense of loss. All our futures are imagined ones - and career politicians know how to tap into those fantasies and fears. The challenge for us is how to help people let go, see truth, accept change, without feeling like they're foolish or hated. Nobody likes to lose face, it's hard to say - 'I was wrong '. It's very tricky ground to be working our way through.
I've often mentioned my own white working class relatives who've swung heavily right, becoming Reform sympathisers. Searching for scapegoats, grasping for fantasy identities that will make them feel powerful. I'll never say that a relative of mine is "dead to me", I'll keep engaging.
But how to help them gracefully accept some changes, and begin to demand change that would actually benefit them? That's a fearfully difficult job.
Mark, I so appreciate this thoughtful essay, especially the way you've woven in your own experience. I'm convinced, like you, that progressives need to understand what drew fellow Americans to Trump in order to not villify them as other (and therefore continue the cultural divide). My sense is that when individuals aliented by Trump who love one another slowly make steps toward talking, we will find creative paths to understanding. I truly hope we won't have to collectively experience years more of trauma to get to that point, but my big worries right now are large-scale disasters that the US is no longer prepared to handle (ie hurricanes and pandemics). There are some orgs like Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org/) that have been focused on dialogue and I think they're totally on the right track. But very difficult. Thanks again for putting this out there!
The flaw in my theory (don't tell anyone) is that liberal boomers have also the same loss of an imagined future, but we didn't go crazy. But a majority of all white men did - which really speaks the white maleness of it all.
I co-edited an anthology just released called Boyhood Reimagined: Stories of Queer Moms Raising Sons (https://www.motinabooks.com/book/boyhood-reimagined-stories-of-queer-moms-raising-sons/). The essays are written by queer feminist moms who wanted to raise their boys with a different, healthier type of masculinity. I don't think we as a culture have found the new way to be a man that's healthy for both the individuals and the society. I think that's why so many younger white men have moved to the right. To be continued...
Wonderfully perceptive read on how we got here and what's needed to dig our way out.
Brilliant piece of introspection. I appreciate your words of wisdom
Thank you, Frank.
I think you are onto something big.
Very thoughtful writing. Yes, the Great Replacement and other mythological thoughts represent attempts to explain a sense of loss. All our futures are imagined ones - and career politicians know how to tap into those fantasies and fears. The challenge for us is how to help people let go, see truth, accept change, without feeling like they're foolish or hated. Nobody likes to lose face, it's hard to say - 'I was wrong '. It's very tricky ground to be working our way through.
I've often mentioned my own white working class relatives who've swung heavily right, becoming Reform sympathisers. Searching for scapegoats, grasping for fantasy identities that will make them feel powerful. I'll never say that a relative of mine is "dead to me", I'll keep engaging.
But how to help them gracefully accept some changes, and begin to demand change that would actually benefit them? That's a fearfully difficult job.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Indeed, a fearfully difficult job.
Mark, I so appreciate this thoughtful essay, especially the way you've woven in your own experience. I'm convinced, like you, that progressives need to understand what drew fellow Americans to Trump in order to not villify them as other (and therefore continue the cultural divide). My sense is that when individuals aliented by Trump who love one another slowly make steps toward talking, we will find creative paths to understanding. I truly hope we won't have to collectively experience years more of trauma to get to that point, but my big worries right now are large-scale disasters that the US is no longer prepared to handle (ie hurricanes and pandemics). There are some orgs like Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org/) that have been focused on dialogue and I think they're totally on the right track. But very difficult. Thanks again for putting this out there!
The flaw in my theory (don't tell anyone) is that liberal boomers have also the same loss of an imagined future, but we didn't go crazy. But a majority of all white men did - which really speaks the white maleness of it all.
I co-edited an anthology just released called Boyhood Reimagined: Stories of Queer Moms Raising Sons (https://www.motinabooks.com/book/boyhood-reimagined-stories-of-queer-moms-raising-sons/). The essays are written by queer feminist moms who wanted to raise their boys with a different, healthier type of masculinity. I don't think we as a culture have found the new way to be a man that's healthy for both the individuals and the society. I think that's why so many younger white men have moved to the right. To be continued...