A presidential candidate gives a town hall meeting and during the Q&A session, a black elderly woman expresses concern over police brutality towards black folks, especially young black males. The presidential candidate is an older white man. While expressing her concern, she says thousands of black men are killed every day in this country and asks the presidential candidate what he plans to do about it. This puts the old white guy, as one could imagine, in a tough spot.
I come from a background where race gangs are still the norm and I speak with members of them to this day. Even they think people are weird about race out here.
It sounds like I'm making a joke but I've literally had conversations with Muslim Brotherhood members who've said that victim stuff is embarrassing and Aryan guys who think it's funny that these people finally see the truth about the dirty "Jeeeews"
I devoted an entire chapter of my book to the concepts you describe in the beginning of your article regarding the extended societal effects of promoting and/or believing wildly inaccurate statistics, especially with regards to police brutality. You paint a perfect picture of the conundrum experienced by trying to decide the benefits vs. the fallout of simply calling out those inaccuracies.
Unfortunately, the discomfort of confronting such hyperbole probably doesn't hold a candle to the damage created by such extreme differences in perception vs. reality. Misperceptions lead to misplaced feelings and misdirected anger, which would be righteous if the perceptions were accurate but are dangerous when they're not. This feeds conflict, and the collateral damage is incalculable. Well done. ZL
I wrote it in 2022, and published it at Smashwords. It was my 2nd book (first one was a novel). I have some ideas for another one, but I've been spending most of my energies on articles this year as I'm not a professional (I have a full time job as well, as I'm sure many contributors do, so time is limited). Still new to this game, and not a social media presence, so I've been trying to figure out how to gain exposure on the fly. That said, I really like the vibe from the Wrong Speak team, and it's encouraged me to keep going.
I think the intersectionality theory plays a huge part. It allows for a scorecard for being a victim instead of all the achievements. This, in turn, creates a system where victimhood becomes an industry. If there is a downside to capitalism, is that it chases money. Victimhood can be profitable for those pulling the strings.
I like Vivek because he doesn't seem to fall into that trap of saying nothing when confronted with hyperbole. Perhaps because he is of Indian descent and a practicing Hindu he is freed from the "oppressor/oppressed" narrative. He is also young enough that he would have been fully exposed to the Neo-Marxist and Post-Modernist rhetoric and knows how to respond.
There is definitely something to a runaway type capitalist environment that can make an industry out of practically anything. It is an industry, for sure.
I was stuck in victimhood for a very long time, longer than I’d like to admit. I was a victim and suffered greatly, don’t get me wrong, but I am also a survivor, a healer, a warrior and a hero. We are all, all of these things, if we choose.
We could easily replace the words “victim” or “victimhood” with the words “immature” and/or “ignorant” and it has the same meaning.
We are all victims of something or someone. And we can stay there as long as we want. But we aren’t learning anything, healing anything or getting any closer to fulfilling our potential when we keep ourselves there.
All of the answers and freedom we seek lies on the other side of victimhood. And we all have the capacity to get to the other side 💪🏻
That is a very big response. And yes, stressing the human aspect of it is of great importance. We are all victims of something...But just as likely as moving from the past will help with the here and now, it also prepares you for future tragedy- so that you can continue on.
I come from a background where race gangs are still the norm and I speak with members of them to this day. Even they think people are weird about race out here.
well, damn. Says a lot.
Thanks for reading, Justacon.
It sounds like I'm making a joke but I've literally had conversations with Muslim Brotherhood members who've said that victim stuff is embarrassing and Aryan guys who think it's funny that these people finally see the truth about the dirty "Jeeeews"
The world is upside down
No, I believe you. And it is, in many ways.
That was fantastic, Judson.
I devoted an entire chapter of my book to the concepts you describe in the beginning of your article regarding the extended societal effects of promoting and/or believing wildly inaccurate statistics, especially with regards to police brutality. You paint a perfect picture of the conundrum experienced by trying to decide the benefits vs. the fallout of simply calling out those inaccuracies.
Unfortunately, the discomfort of confronting such hyperbole probably doesn't hold a candle to the damage created by such extreme differences in perception vs. reality. Misperceptions lead to misplaced feelings and misdirected anger, which would be righteous if the perceptions were accurate but are dangerous when they're not. This feeds conflict, and the collateral damage is incalculable. Well done. ZL
Thanks for that compliment, Zephareth. How long ago did you write your book? Do you have another one in the works?
I wrote it in 2022, and published it at Smashwords. It was my 2nd book (first one was a novel). I have some ideas for another one, but I've been spending most of my energies on articles this year as I'm not a professional (I have a full time job as well, as I'm sure many contributors do, so time is limited). Still new to this game, and not a social media presence, so I've been trying to figure out how to gain exposure on the fly. That said, I really like the vibe from the Wrong Speak team, and it's encouraged me to keep going.
Excellent piece
Appreciate that, Patrick.
I think the intersectionality theory plays a huge part. It allows for a scorecard for being a victim instead of all the achievements. This, in turn, creates a system where victimhood becomes an industry. If there is a downside to capitalism, is that it chases money. Victimhood can be profitable for those pulling the strings.
I like Vivek because he doesn't seem to fall into that trap of saying nothing when confronted with hyperbole. Perhaps because he is of Indian descent and a practicing Hindu he is freed from the "oppressor/oppressed" narrative. He is also young enough that he would have been fully exposed to the Neo-Marxist and Post-Modernist rhetoric and knows how to respond.
There is definitely something to a runaway type capitalist environment that can make an industry out of practically anything. It is an industry, for sure.
Thanks, Cronin!
An excellent article, thank you sir.
I was stuck in victimhood for a very long time, longer than I’d like to admit. I was a victim and suffered greatly, don’t get me wrong, but I am also a survivor, a healer, a warrior and a hero. We are all, all of these things, if we choose.
We could easily replace the words “victim” or “victimhood” with the words “immature” and/or “ignorant” and it has the same meaning.
We are all victims of something or someone. And we can stay there as long as we want. But we aren’t learning anything, healing anything or getting any closer to fulfilling our potential when we keep ourselves there.
All of the answers and freedom we seek lies on the other side of victimhood. And we all have the capacity to get to the other side 💪🏻
That is a very big response. And yes, stressing the human aspect of it is of great importance. We are all victims of something...But just as likely as moving from the past will help with the here and now, it also prepares you for future tragedy- so that you can continue on.
Thanks for reading.