Progressive Inquisition
What does it mean to be progressive? Is it mainly about belief in human progress, ongoing betterment of humanity and civilization? Since I don’t consider myself a progressive—in fact, I feel that I’m opposed politically to progressivism—it isn’t fair for me to answer.
Sheluyang Peng, on the other hand, identifies as a progressive politically, but he finds he can’t make any sense out of what progressivism is. For instance, he is a male, identifies as male, but did not grow up with rigidly defined male proclivities, such as an urge for rough-housing or playing with G.I. Joe. As he perceives the present-day definition, he feels left out by the progressive requirement to consider himself somewhere on a gender spectrum other than just male:
So when a “progressive” parent sees their son playing with a Barbie, instead of thinking about how it’s stereotype-shattering, the parent thinks, “Wow, my child is trans!” Then comes praise from other “progressive” parents, puberty blockers, and a potential “gender-affirming” surgery.
If gender isn’t about genitals, then why do kids need genital surgery as “gender affirmation”? The very idea of “gender-affirming surgery” contradicts gender ideology altogether.
And when it comes to being Asian-American, he senses that the strictures of modern progressivism’s unwritten rules leave him out—especially as set out in critical race theory.
Instead of being progressive, critical race theory takes us back to a time where we only are racial stereotypes. It is shocking that I’ve been against stereotyping for so long, and thought that progressives were against it, only for it to come back in another form and become official “progressive” doctrine in schools.
This was because he didn’t like math, while racial identity theorists expected him to like math because of his Asian heritage. Instead, he like arts and other things outside the racial stereotype. Progressives, he felt, expected him to “act Asian” in the name of racial pride and solidarity.
And so on. However he identifies, I can relate to Peng’s sense of political alienation. While I consider myself a libertarian-leaning conservative, I find the identification with Trump and MAGA as the latest hotness in conservative identity completely alienating to me.
Perhaps it’s just a pitfall of defining yourself too much by your political tribe. Eventually the tribe moves on rather than standing still. Which then leaves you feeling lost if you haven’t move along with them.
Marque, I just found this amazing piece on South Africa: https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gangs-corruption-and-collapse-the-slow-and-steady-demise-of-south-africa-a-7ed1fcd1-a2e8-446a-9ff9-074718215281
It’s excellent journalism, if you have the time.
I love this small tribal view of a few of today's so-called 'progressives'. And unless you're actually a dyed in the wool Commie, ya' gotta' love those 'rabid capitalists'. Well, I don't guess you have to, but I did.
https://www.thefp.com/p/video-the-free-press-meets-democratic-socialists?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=ba602#play
Also, in the vein of a lot of this gender bending stuff getting more than just a little bit weird...
Was in for my 2nd eye surgery yesterday morning. As I was led into the prep / recovery area from the waiting room, I mentioned it would probably be wise if I used the restroom before the fun began as we passed a "unisex" restroom in the hallway just before the clinic doors, of which I'd availed myself on my first visit a couple of weeks ago. The nurse leading me was almost to the door into the clinic and beckoned me on, saying there was one just inside the door there, which there was.
It was identical to the one in the hallway...a toilet, a sink and no urinal. But it did have one feature the "public" restroom out in the hallway did not: a good-sized sign above the toilet that read thusly...
If you are 55 years old or younger and were born with a uterus, please check with staff before using toilet.
I found myself wondering if they'd somehow already managed to slip me the happy juice without my being aware of it.