Sorry in advance for reading way tf too far into this post, but it got me thinking. How are we supposed to interpret these numbers? Is 34% (or I guess 20%) a good or bad thing? Do we want more violence in America?
I always struggle with understanding what actions are good, and what actions are bad. If I am supposed to care about the masses opinions, I would say this statistic still reinforces the idea that any violent action at all in the US is detrimental to our movement (especially if you consider a good portion of these people were probably very right wing). Are we at a period in time then that things like red papers, book clubs, and peaceful protests are enough? That doesn't sound right, but there is likely some theory I'm missing or misunderstanding.
I think it's a good thing that the populace is more accepting of political violence, because my faith in the democratic process is nonexistent. Violence is necessary to enact change at this juncture.
What is bad is that violence is necessary, not the acceptance of violence itself.
I personally think that US is currently at a stage where education and organizing are the most important tasks for the left. However, the fact that the right is increasingly seeing violence as the answer can't be ignored.
Furthermore, mainstream politics is incredibly polarized now with both republicans and democrats at the point where they see each other as a threat to their way of life. Whoever wins the election is going to be seen as an illegitimate tyrant by a large portion of the population. The whole social contract hinges on people accepting elections as being essentially fair. If people stop believing that the government holds power because it has the mandate of the people, then there's little reason to accept it.
Given all that, I expect that civil unrest is a very possible scenario after the election, and everyone should start preparing for that eventuality.
Sorry in advance for reading way tf too far into this post, but it got me thinking. How are we supposed to interpret these numbers? Is 34% (or I guess 20%) a good or bad thing? Do we want more violence in America?
I always struggle with understanding what actions are good, and what actions are bad. If I am supposed to care about the masses opinions, I would say this statistic still reinforces the idea that any violent action at all in the US is detrimental to our movement (especially if you consider a good portion of these people were probably very right wing). Are we at a period in time then that things like red papers, book clubs, and peaceful protests are enough? That doesn't sound right, but there is likely some theory I'm missing or misunderstanding.
I think it's a good thing that the populace is more accepting of political violence, because my faith in the democratic process is nonexistent. Violence is necessary to enact change at this juncture.
What is bad is that violence is necessary, not the acceptance of violence itself.
I personally think that US is currently at a stage where education and organizing are the most important tasks for the left. However, the fact that the right is increasingly seeing violence as the answer can't be ignored.
Furthermore, mainstream politics is incredibly polarized now with both republicans and democrats at the point where they see each other as a threat to their way of life. Whoever wins the election is going to be seen as an illegitimate tyrant by a large portion of the population. The whole social contract hinges on people accepting elections as being essentially fair. If people stop believing that the government holds power because it has the mandate of the people, then there's little reason to accept it.
Given all that, I expect that civil unrest is a very possible scenario after the election, and everyone should start preparing for that eventuality.