99 times out of a 100, the person making that argument isn't a centrist, they're a far-right bigot. And not even really hiding it.
It's an argument made to appeal to centrists perhaps, but rarely made by them.
I'm gonna still call the liars and gaslighters out on their bullsh*t because I believe "all men are created equal" applies to all people, everywhere, no exceptions.
the problem with yeeting all centrists as an electoral strategy is that if you don't also disenfranchise them they still get to vote and then you lose.
This isn't about electoral strategy, or at least that's a myopic view of the matter. Unless you're completely detached from the subject, it's a day-to-day existence. And as a matter of electoral strategy, if this is the deciding factor for their vote, they weren't in the center in the first place.
There is no compromise when it comes to certain things. If they're pulling the "actually, we should hear the other side out" (when we have already heard that side out many times before throughout history) then it's clear that they aren't in the center, and never were.
This is just self-indulgent masturbation. There are millions of "centrist" Obama-Trump voters out there. Declaring that you're just going to yeet them instead of trying to win their votes back is just throwing elections and being smug about how morally superior you are for not even trying.
My hot take: we shouldn't yeet centrist apologists, but firmly explain why they're wrong. Distinctions are important. As annoying as they are, centrists are not on the same wavelength with actual bigots, we are yeeting the bigots precisely because they aim to poison and disrupt rational debate.
Sure. More often than not, that's how it goes. But, as in other things, "trust the process". Present them with the choice and allow them to out themselves or to change their mind. The point isn't to yell at a brick wall, it is to break it.
Did you see the apologist part of the term? Firstly there are no centrists. I find centrists these days are just maga who don’t want to be lumped in with maga. And the center has moved drastically to the right over the last 25 years anyway. Second, did you miss the word apologist?
No, I did not miss the word apologist. I know what kind of ppl they are. I'm pointing out an effective strategy against the confident bigots' attempts to onboard precisely those people "who don't want to be lumped in with maga". Treating those two groups in the same exact way helps lumping them in.
The last thing we want rn is consolidating bigots. Different treatment towards centrists doesn't mean weakness or that we suddenly developed a soft spot for hate speech. It means patient, methodical work against hate speech. More importantly, it works.
I generally consider myself a centrist and believe they are important to keeping things running smoothly in a democracy. HOWEVER, that only applies when both sides are willing to have good faith debates. Right now the with the extremists taking over the repubs that can't happen.
Nazis don’t get debated. Because that would legitimize Nazi beliefs by suggesting they deserve forum.
Instead we point and laugh at nazi’s like we do flat earthers. For their inability to accept simple science. Such as the evolution of our species and its migration out of Africa.
You can't rationalize with what people feel in their hearts. Doesn't work with Republicans, racists, bigots or Christians.
But you can certainly argue with them anyway on a social platform to expose them, and I think that's worth something. People start to remember "ew don't interact with that guy"
Yep, I tried to have rational debates with family, but they always ended in being told I’m an “abomination to god” so at this point, they can all get yeeted lmao
but we are not all ‘centrist apologists’. some of us have 🧠 and, hence, are differentiated debaters. we acknowledge the existence >>> in the trees🌴🌳🌲 wood 🪵 <<< of COMPLEXITY. woosh or no-woosh.
That being said, there is virtue & worth in being able to win over the less radicalized members into rational thinking. Daryl Davis, the black man who convinced hundreds of KKK members to leave & reform through understanding & kindness is a man to aspire to.
If he can do that, surely you can convince even 1 bigot to change their ways, and that makes all the difference once voting time rolls around. The best way to dissolve a cult is to de-brainwash its members.
The thing about bigots RN is that they're actually being victimized by their leaders. They may not join the more tolerant side yet but they're PRIMED to be de-brainwashed in the coming years when they're made victims of the consequences of their & their leaders actions.
Well I wish you luck in de-programming them, I’m to busy making sure I don’t get killed by them. Further, I’m not debating my right to exist with anyone.
Yeah there's still gonna be a lot of them that stay set in their ways no matter what, and I'm not saying we forgive them right off the bat, or even totally forgive them down the line. Hold them accountable, but offer a HEAVILY CONDITIONAL way out.
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It's an argument made to appeal to centrists perhaps, but rarely made by them.
(And no, I DON'T think that, I'm just saying, even IF.)
Most Pages: 😡 YEET
"I've never had strong feelings about those people, but these days, rage bait is big business. Maybe it's time for me to become a bigot.
Until then you're essentially yelling at a brick wall.
Instead we point and laugh at nazi’s like we do flat earthers. For their inability to accept simple science. Such as the evolution of our species and its migration out of Africa.
But you can certainly argue with them anyway on a social platform to expose them, and I think that's worth something. People start to remember "ew don't interact with that guy"
Let’s talk about that ifunnyco watermark…
…i think
This made me snort, thank you for this =P
*Bows*