I'm finding it harder and harder to engage in leftist spaces lately.
People seem more interested in proving they're the "better" or more informed person than actually building community or helping others get involved.
I still hold the same leftist values I've always held, but I've made a lot of attempts to participate in different groups and conversations, and the responses feel hostile, judgmental, or dismissive. It feels like people are being called into action and then severely criticized the moment they show up.
ALSO the left tends to use shame as a tool for change. Instead of helping people understand an issue, sharing resources, or making information more accessible, people are often mocked and bullied for not already knowing something.
Not everyone has the same education, reading level, life experience, or access to information. The goal is to bring more people in, and that approach seems soo counterproductive.
Fear, guilt, might motivate SOME people, but for a lot of others it just creates anxiety and paralysis until they mentally disengage.
I want to help. I want to be involved. I care so deeply in my heart about these issues. But it's extremely difficult to participate in spaces where people seem so excited and giddy to tear each other down over small disagreements or mistakes.
I wish we were better at meeting people where they are. The left needs to start offering legitimate easy to access support and resources. We should be building each other up instead of constantly testing people to see who belongs. I think we'd get a lot more done if we focused less on policing people more on helping people learn, grow, and take action in a way that actually feels hopeful and productive.