this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2025
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i hear what you're saying.
what i'm saying is, for myself, and at least a few "Left-curious" neo/libs/progs, we don't want to trade one shit tyranny for another. and it's obvious, documented history of some pretty glaring failures in AES. if you like, think of ppl like us as trauma victims. it's probably true anyway.
it can go a long way to offer the olive branch and reassurance that, yes, you don't want to just "red-wash" that all away, or that you aren't just enamoured with Red aesthetic and lip-service while being YET ANOTHER group of mastubatory elitists who will trample the out-group-du-jour given the opportunity.
The problem typically arises from the necessity for confrontation of anticommunist myths about AES. Anyone growing up in the West is bombarded with Anticommunism, and simply being aware that that process exists doesn't actually make you immune to it. Confronting the myths surrounding Communism is an important first step. "Red-washing" is a much, much smaller problem than you likely realize.
cool bro. you do you. you're just not the guy i'm looking for, i guess. maybe the next one.
What would the person you're looking for, so to speak, do that I'm not?
be an an anti-communist.
Seems like it, sadly.
This is going to sound incredibly facetious, but I've had multiple dozens of people directly thank me for reaching them. I can't reach everyone, of course, but I know for a fact that I do reach many people, so your assertion that because I can't seem to reach you that I must not be able to reach anyone is just not true.
I could absolutely be better at reaching people, of course I could, but I also know that different strategies work for different people, and some people simply don't want to be reached to begin with.
how nice for you and "the cause." you can stop replying to me now.
If you want to disengage with someone, the polite way is to just write "disengage," not to try to throw in a last second snide remark.
Rude.
I really don't think I do deserve it, honestly. Despite your repeated insults, from the very beginning, no less, I replied patiently and honestly to everything and ignored the insults on the off-chance you turned your attitude around. Nevertheless, your insults still end up helping me rhetorically, as it's useful for onlookers to see. Oh well.
they would be able to engage me, the human in front of them, without all the baggage of the movement establishing preconceptions.
In an ideal world, the Red Scare would not have existed, and we could discuss the genuine merits and struggles faced internally and externally in AES without that clouding discussion. Its why I prefer talking with comrades about the shortcomings in AES, as I know they aren't doing it to undermine the achievements but to legitimately identify problems to solve.
I think, despite all of the struggles, that I do an okay job with engaging people open to listening.
well, you didn't here.
I don't see how that's the case, but okay!
yep.