CommentsTOXIC POLITICS-As a student of history and someone who’s correct designation politically would be a social libertarian, I’m aware of the historical injustices done to women and people of color in this country and have been a lifelong advocate of helping people understand this history and working to rectify it.
In short, the ideal society as I see it is one in which we’re all free to express who we are without facing adversity or a lack of opportunity because of factors we can’t control, such as race, sex, gender, sexuality, religion, creed, etc.
And while I recognize the privilege I enjoy as a white man in this society, something deeply disturbing is happening underneath all the noise and bullshit that’s been inherent in our news cycles since Donald Trump was elected president.
It’s this: people on the left — especially women and people of color — have become quite comfortable expressing misandry (the hate of men) and/or racism — in this case toward white people.
A few points if I may:
- Hating men does not advance the cause of feminism. If it does, then it’s a toxic movement.
- Hating white people does not advance the cause of people of color. Again, if it does, it’s toxic.
- I did not choose to be white or a man. I was born that way and had no more say in the matter than does anyone else.
- I am not in any way responsible for Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump, or the misogynistic state of the Republican Party (for years I blogged in direct opposition, actually), nor am I responsible for the historic oppression of African Americans or women. I was born in the 80s for Christ’s sake!
And yet, whether on Facebook, Twitter, Medium, and even in the pages of major newspapers and magazines like the NY Times, Cosmo, Vogue, The Huffington Post, etc., I regularly see people express views that are toxic and offensive. More often it’s misandry than racism, but there’s plenty of that too.
I find myself then, in an awkward position as a white man who’s socially and economically liberal. On one side (the left) I have people I agree with — but who by all accounts hate me or want me to shut up (yes, on multiple occasions I’ve seen people tell me or others to shut up because we’re men and/or white), and on the other side, I have people I disagree with deeply, but who at least affirm I have a right to exist and enjoy the rights conferred by our Constitution.
Again, I’m all for social justice and that means working to rectify how our society treats women and people of color. I support #BLM, #MeToo, #TimesUp and policy solutions to make sure we’re addressing the issues that face these vulnerable groups.
But if those groups then turn around and deny my humanity because I’m a white man… I’m out. If those groups employ the same sort of sexism and racism they claim to deplore… I’m out.
Not that I’m going to turn around and start voting Republican, but I’m not going to participate in denying my own humanity and freedom.
This has to stop.
(Jeff Allen is a human, existentialist, author, storyteller and teacher. Blogging at Medium & ChuckingRocks.com: leading the IRL revolution. “I see the world as it is… and will be.”) Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
