slug.com slug.com

9 2

WHERE ARE THE LEFTISTS??? Raise your heads! I want to hear your views as well as the others'!

Naomi 8 Apr 8
Share

Be part of the movement!

Welcome to the community for those who value free speech, evidence and civil discourse.

Create your free account

9 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

1

@naomi, I live in canada, and yes I DO associate "leftism" with SJW's..unfortunately they seem to be one in the same at least over here. I consider myself a "moderate", there are small pieces of the Left of Centre that I can accept, and small pieces of the Right of Centre that I can accept, but both far ends are too much. In canada, which is now just a space on a map with a name as the "culture" has been wiped, we now have compelled speech laws so as not to offend others..Our PM. Jessalyn Truedope, has turned this country into a boiling pot of discord. The concept that Diversity is strength is ridiculous, too much diversity has only resulted in antagonisms of people. The public displays of animosity are incredible, and forget about talking with anyone at the water cooler anymore..This is now a faceless society.The problem now in my country space is that IF you do not agree with giving your world away then you are a Bigot and frowned upon. There is no ability for open conversation on topics or modifications of ideology.. it is all identity politics, martyrdom, safe spaces, and whining..most places are split 50-50 on ideology at the basest of the concept and that has sparked so much friction between people that most responses to any provocative conversation may lead to physical blows and shaming if not total person destruction. I hate this world I live in, it is not a free thinking world anymore, I am constrained by laws and policies as to how I am "allowed" to think and feel... PS: England is lost.. welcome to the Insurrection!

Gasp! I'm not gonna pretend that I know much about your country, but you know, you are not the only one who told me about Canada this way. I know someone on this platform who is from Canada, and who, to be honest, sounds slightly unhinged; he talks about death and war referring to the Muslims in Canada. From your description, Canada sounds much worse than the UK or shall I say it's only a matter of time before the UK catches up with Canada. The town where I live is miles away from any big cities so there aren't many immigrants (not yet, shall I say). There are some immigrants, including myself, but they're naturalised and well integrated. Having said that, political correctness and identity politics are spreading rapidly through social media like cancer. Self-censorship is definitely here. When I post harmless stuff on Facebook, I get many likes straight away, but every time I post something political or slightly controversial, it's dead quiet. Identity politics definitely divides us all. It's easy to blame it for everything, but you know, we keep sleepwalking into it, and for that we're all guilty. And, if I'm honest, I have reservations about all left-leaning people being SJWs; that's what MSM want us to believe. I would imagine it's much harder for you to resist it because you've got Trudeau as your PM. Although our PM May is pretty useless but there are still conservative voices left... I think it is important to focus on decent views coming from left or right or even centre, although I don't like the concept, if those views come from decent people, and not to get influenced by ideologues, who I refer to SJWs and alt-right activists. Thanks for your insightful piece of information.

0

Thank you all very much for your contributions. I have a clear picture now.
As for anyone who goes along with the notion that left-wingers are a synonym of SJWs, and similarly that right-wingers are a synonym of alt-right, I'm afraid that they're not on the same page as me; I rarely consider SJWs or alt-right activists' views. I also haven't got time for those who enjoy making a mockery of others and picking up fights. How would that help encourage anyone come on and express their views let alone develop any decent conversation? People behave differently when they have a mask they can hide behind, yet their true colours eventually come through - interesting. Also, while some insist on their own freedom of expression, they're happy to suppress others' (typically by mockery and insult as demonstrated here) - consciously or subconsciously, I can't tell, but there is a certain level of hypocrisy on their part. I don't often resonate with left-wing views but there are some good points I can appreciate. Similarly, I don't always resonate with right-wing views but there are some good points I can appreciate. I actually don't like the "left, right and centre" concept at all. So, I shall continue to explore all kinds of thoughts and ideas wherever they may come from. Thanks again for your help. Kindest regards.

0

Where are the heathens at ?

2

It's interesting that many replies here have jumped to the conclusion that the OP is a leftist!

The question was asking if there were any leftists here so that alternative views could be heard and discussed. If there isn't, then the whole concept of the IDW has been lost. IDW is not supposed to be an echo chamber of any description. It's supposed to be a place for an civil exchange of ideas - pretty pointless if everyone holds the same view or feels the need to self censor.

You guys really need to stop being so defensive and start reading posts carefully before attacking! Some of you sound like advocates of victimhood culture that, I thought, we were trying to escape from!

3

Perhaps they don't think your label refers to them
Life is not just black and white, but a sliding scale
Variations of thought brought about by different peer groups and education or parents

I completely agree. Deliberate provocation on my part. I don't take sides. I'm under the impression that "left-leaning" views are suppressed because there seem to be so many here who make a mockery of left-wingers, and if those who have left-leaning views "have to pretend that they're centrists", as someone suggested, that's self-censorship and that's wrong. If this platform is becoming a safe space for particular types of people and not for the others, that's wrong, too. It's also wrong to generate the notion that lefties made us take refuge here - that's victimhood and that's supposed to be an SJWs' speciality. There is a certain level of hypocrisy surfacing here.

your use of the word suppressed implies deliberate use of force and intimidation tactics. I have not witnessed any such intimidation tactics being used here on IDW. It is truly an open forum. If unfettered expression of ideas is intimidating to someone then I would submit that that someone lacks maturity and in their heart knows their position on a given topic is weak@Naomi

Your experience is certainly different from mine here. I rest my case.

1

Yes please! Leftists, self described "liberals", anti-fascists, Black Lives Matter members, self described democratic-socialists! Please do raise your heads. Speak up speak often. Honestly no one will ban you from the site - no one will threaten you, or try to dox you, or try to ruin your career - we won't even tell your mommy. If you have something on your mind please - out with it already!

Those are all of the reasons why you probably won't find many of them here.

What is your definition of "leftist"? Leftist equals SJW? Is that the general view held by people in America?

A leftist is someone who believes in a collectivist form of governance. A leftist believes in redistribution of wealth and they are willing to do it by any means. A leftist is a socialist. I would characterize anyone who identifies as SJW as a leftist@Naomi

And would you say that is the definition shared by people in the US?

why would the definition or the general understanding of "leftism" be any different in USA from the definition anywhere else?@Naomi

Terms like "conservative" and "liberal" are interpreted differently in different political contexts. The Liberal Democratic Party in the UK, for example, is not a "leftist" party, at all.

and leftists are in the habit of calling themselves liberals when in fact their methods and beliefs are antithetical to the very concept of liberal thought.@Naomi

And if you're suggesting that that is the tendency shared among people in America, I have no comment, i.e., I don't live in America. So, I thank you for the insightful piece of information.

2

This place does lean heavy to the right.

1

Wow, there is so much prejudice against the left. So much for free speech.

NOBODY here is preventing you voicing any ideas or opinions you may have - unlike Face book and you tube. Go ahead. Say what's on your mind. You will NOT be personally attacked or threatened or banned or abused. But you should brace yourself for ideas that challenge yours. This is a SAFE SPACE for free exchange of ideas ie. Free Speech.

By prejudice against the left we must assume you mean there is no one here to protect your feelings when confronted by objective and logical information? If that isn't it then please do pick out some posts that you think are prejudicial against the left and share them with us.

oh spare me. voice your positions and be prepared to defend them. if you get rolled over it means your position is weak.

This site isn't about free speech-- they even say right up front that they reserve the right to sanction "wrong-speak". What does "wrong-speak" even mean on a site that's about "free speech"??

It's interesting that you assume straight away that I'm a leftist.

@Naomi you are whining ... I did not say left or right, I said weak. Just because one group is in the minority does not mean they are oppressed per se. Funny how you equated left with weak.

Hi, you know what, I was wondering about that, too. That's a good point. What does free speech really mean? Do you notice that people come on, say whatever they want to say and move on? I don't think they really want to engage in proper conversations. If anyone challenges, they throw in a couple of punches, so to speak, and move on. Mind you, it is normally like this on any platform. I think conversing face to face with a cup of tea is still the best way.

@Naomi it is called hit an run. People have lost the ability (art?) of disagreeing in an agreeable way. I used to enjoy being the minority, the gadfly. It forced me to sharpen my game. Nowadays ... I am a lot more careful about that. People just start name calling and othering.

Hi. Now you're whining - ha! I'm only joking! You know, you're right. Many don't seem to know how to debate. The proof is right here. I wasn't responding to many of the comments dropped here because most of them were just "reactions" to the original post which was deliberately provocative, I admit that. As soon as they assumed that I was left, they went into the combat mode. Some kept their cool and I'm grateful, only because they read the OP carefully - reading OPs and comments carefully is very important. English is not my first language, so, I often read comments multiple times until I get them right. I'm glad we agree that people lost or never learned the ability to debate, or even have a decent conversation. They seem too comfortable with their own views, and as soon as someone challenges them, they get upset and start throwing punches around. What they don't know often lies in opposite views. They don't know what they are missing. And that is what debate/discussion is all about, and in order to get a healthy debate going, we have to stay civil and constructive, wouldn't you agree? The last thing I would mention is that I find the commonly-accepted notion of the left meaning SJW and the right meaning alt-right is shocking. Some of the leading IDW crowd are left-leaning, like Jonathan Haidt, Dave Rubin, Jo Rogan and Bret Weinstein (Weinstein is even progressive!), but they aren't SJWs, are they? Do you think this is what identity politics does to us? It's dividing us. We're dividing ourselves by accepting the narrative of identity politics - left, right, black, white, male, female and do son. For that we're all guilty, wouldn't you say?

1

Not a leftist, but views on what subject(s)?

Oh, anything. When I browse, I'm under the impression that there aren't many views clearly coming from leftists, well apart from one person who told me that he/she is a proud leftist. Whatever the topic is, I would like to look at it from different angles and would like to hear various views from different people.

The economy, jobs, unemployment, prison reform, trade negotiations, energy independence, NK, NATO, NAFTA, health care, border security, the stock market, infrastructure, national security and the rest.

@Naomi Just out of curiosity, what do you think makes someone a leftist? I have my own opinion on that, I'd just like to hear yours.

Yes, anything! How can we see and think things properly and have balanced constructive views without exploring different views from all sides?

Hi. I realise that some terms are used differently in different countries, like "liberal". In the UK, some people are left-leaning centrists. They support socialistic ideas, like national healthcare, free education, lifetime pensions, that sort of things.

Sorry, I've just had a power cut! So, I was going on to say that Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of the opposition party (The Labour party) and his cabinet ministers are said to be more than left-leaning. They are socialists, and they occasionally show signs that they support Marxism. Once, one of his ministers said that Mao did more good than harm, which was gobsmacking. There is a call for a general election, and I don't feel comfortable with the thought of Jeremy Corbyn being Prime Minister. What is your definition of the left?

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:28720
Slug does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.