Politics
Philosophy
Social Justice
Marxism
Queer Theory
Critical Theory
Postmodernism
Revolutionary Feminism
Lately, @MikeNayna and I have been giving a lot of thought and discussion to this point. Through Marxism first and Social Justice now, we're all constantly subjected to a "critical" course in oppression that most of us didn't sign up for, and we're rightly sick of it.
From the Critical Theory of Horkheimer (with Adorno, Marcuse, etc.) to the postmodern philosophers (Foucault, esp.) and the late-stage Marxists (Freire), revolutionary black feminists (hooks, Crenshaw, Collins, etc.), queer Theorists, etc etc., it's become a constant lecture.
You can't eat this. You can't say that. You can't think this. You must insist that. You might like your life, but here's why you shouldn't. Either you're oppressed or you're oppressing someone else by your very existence in a system that can't be perfect. It's endless and tedious
Critical Theory, from its origins by Horkheimer in the Frankfurt School, a Marxist outfit, has sought not to understand (as with "traditional" theory) but to make problematic so as to stir people to dissatisfaction and, eventually, revolution. A constant course in oppression.
The Marxists in the Frankfurt School believed if they could teach people how they're oppressed by capitalism, they'd want to throw it off. The postmodernists expanded this to every facet of the "system" called society. Critical feminists shot at "patriarchy" in the same way.
Thus, under a "critical" mindset, you needn't understand a thing. You just need to see how it can be read as screwing you or someone you have sympathies for, such that you'll come to hate it and want to overthrow it. And they try to make sure there's no escape from the lesson.
Go to work? Diversity training.
Watch football? Social Justice entertainment plan.
Buy products? Attached to a political campaign.
Have friends? They never shut up once "woke."
Go to church? "Racism is your original sin. Confess."
TV, movies? Here's why it's problematic.
Watch football? Social Justice entertainment plan.
Buy products? Attached to a political campaign.
Have friends? They never shut up once "woke."
Go to church? "Racism is your original sin. Confess."
TV, movies? Here's why it's problematic.
You didn't sign up for a constant lecture in "oppression," and the best part of your nature has been manipulated to keep you listening to it. Enough of this. You can care more effectively without it because it distorts your vision. It's slow-dripped poison, and it's not okay.
@SethDudzinski I'm absolutely not confused about this. Save @HPluckrose, I'm probably the clearest on it you'll run into.
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