2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Forget Sanders and Clinton for a moment. This is a symbolic schism that has been long brewing [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Last edited Thu Sep 17, 2015, 07:21 PM - Edit history (1)
of the slurs enemies of liberalism have attached to it, but they would win, and you would be rejecting a primary label for much what is best about humanity. Without the balancing, and often uplifting effect, of liberal qualities on their communities, humanity would be a pack of fearful, bloodthirsty primitives -- if it hadn't killed itself off entirely.
The knowledge of the literally genetically-determined orientations -- liberal and conservative, and possibly libertarian, as well as other minors that may not yet be discovered -- of all humanity is new. Before too much time has passed, a new understanding of who we are will become widespread, and people who may be angels to their loved ones but troublemakers to outliers will no longer be able to hide among crowds of others but be recognized for what they are.
In the meantime, for those of us who are liberals, I believe anything but embracing our political liberalism proudly would be very unfortunate mistake.
Progressives should also rescue a word, wearing it proudly, which the right has done its best to turn into a smear.
And while I'm at it (!), I'm really tired of the right's successful campaign to rebrand courtesy as "political correctness." Nine times out of ten -- and more -- it just refers to good manners and respect for the wishes of others. I.e., arising from the liberal and moderate conservative sin of tolerance. So I'd love to see us refuse to cede them that victory and instead return to speaking of "respect" and "good manners."