Where I Stand
I am a lot of things but I am not the "alt-right adjacent, proto-fascist counterrevolutionary" you may envision just because I made your brain hurt
As I note in my introductory post, I am on the left. Further put, I am a leftist. My bio also includes that I am “[s]omewhere on the capital ‘L’ Left”. I grew up as a liberal with Democrats for parents, explored conservatism and libertarianism in my late teens with an open mind without ever fully abandoning the aegis of the political left, and advanced into Left thought as I waded through my 20s.
But, as my introductory post also suggests – and as the topics that kept coming to mind as I brainstormed a first essay reminded me – I like looking at leftist issues from what can best be described as an unorthodox lens. In fact, if I were to write about all five or so topics I strongly considered and afterward someone were to take a gander at this blog, they might assume that all I care for is dunking on the Left.
Constant contrarianism. Recalcitrant reaction. Smug sophistry. That would define my image. However, that knee-jerk conceptualization relies on the precise childish (and, unfortunately, quite widespread) instant response that partly informs my desire to focus on faults instead of praising accomplishments (something that would do no one any good) or putting forth organizing strategies (something that simply isn’t my forte and all are completely free to seek elsewhere).
If I fail to bring up some element of the Left here, it’s probably because I don’t care for it or don’t mind it or outright support it! I browse Twitter enough as it is, I don’t want to merely rehash some generic discourse that pops up on everyone’s timeline twenty times a day. I’d rather fill in the cracks in the glass while the organizers and the theorists fly the plane. I’m just better suited for that!
Writing about the 1% of the Left, or leftist talking points, or leftist current events, that I take issue with or otherwise have something to say about does not invalidate the 99% that I’m perfectly comfortable with and encourage. And if you do think it does, or if you find yourself turning one of my stances (or acts, or mere wordings) into a litmus test for my loyalty to the Cause – some ad hoc Rubicon you need to invent for your daily histrionics quota (or worse, your social media engagement) – then congrats, you might actually be a part of that 1%. I don’t care about you and neither does the Left and you will not be missed when you inevitably burn out.
Anyway, I hope this does something to clarify this project. And now that I’ve settled this (fingers crossed), I can get started on writing an actual piece!