oddlybigbirds

[oddlybigbirds]

We do not have an obligation to put up with abuse BUT we absolutely have an obligation to be responsible with ourselves/actions, learn from what we know, and understand how our choices could effect other people. 

I literally do not care what some internet fave turned pseudo-counselor says, we have the capability to be terrible like everyone else, please choose wisely.

#responsibility #accountability

[oddlybigbirds]

New Nationalism

So reading has always been an area I have struggled in. I still struggle to get through large books centered on socialism and communism, and long social media posts, articles, or short stories are what I find myself reading more of. And I feel like since I’m reading more of other people’s thoughts/opinions on leftist theory, instead of the “source material”, what I see more of is what leftist stuff is turning into lately or being perceived as. And one thing that sticks out to me a lot is a strong, unwavering devotion to a new/potential leftist state. And I find myself really averse to it. 

I personally attribute this to growing up in the United States my entire life and witnessing firsthand the vehement, thoughtless patriotism people feel for this place. The United States government and its connection to capitalism have led to harm against human dignity and the environment. This experience has left me distrusting of any kind of nationalism, since we see what it leads to here. People are encouraged to have this devotion to the USA and get pulled away from thinking critically about what the United States government actually does. And I feel like I see the same thing in leftist spaces I’ve been in.

This experience in the US doesn’t make me want to turn to a leftist system that demands a new nationalism. I don’t want to live under a system that encourages uncritical devotion to itself. That exists now within the US, and I have no desire to continue living under a government that does whatever it can to avoid responsibility, criticism, and acknowledgment of its actions. A leftist government that demands nationalism from its citizens can easily become a new United States in the sense that it won’t stop itself when it needs to. 

#leftism #socialism