2 ms·

What do you do when the context itself is cynical? Like an authoritarian regime. In those cases “just being optimistic” is a laughable suggestion. This extends

What do you do when the context itself is cynical? Like an authoritarian regime. In those cases “just being optimistic” is a laughable suggestion. This extends to the class and race struggle within “free” societies. To me, there’s a deep link between being oppressed and being cynical. When you’re left without choices you develop a “fixed” mindset.

brazzy 5y ago
Everyone has choices. Authoritarian regimes are overthrown, slavery outlawed, political and economic participation broadened. The world is, very objectively, tremendously better to live in for the vast majority of people, than it was 200 years ago. Sure, there are contexts where the individual's choices that could lead to substantial improvement are so risky and the chances of success so small that it's rational not to try. But that's still a choice. All that cynicism does is dress up that choice as having no alternatives so you can feel better about it. Which is a totally human and understandable thing to do, but can easily be taken too far and applied in contexts where individual incremental improvements are absolutely possible and have a good chance of success.
- shrimpx 5y ago
  Sure. But notice that in the case of American black people’s plight, that’s the voice of the oppressor: “just be optimistic, work harder”. Meanwhile the oppressor cynically tightens the screws of oppression, e.g. by codifying racism into laws while making it illegal for black people to vote. So I would be careful insisting, again, that the victims of racism just choose positivity. Sure, there is a deep truth in that — ultimately you have to chose positivity to survive. But repeating that over and over is a cynical badge of racism.
robjan 5y ago
There are still choices between finding ways to work within the system and making the best of the situation or completely giving up and resigning to the fact that nothing will ever get better.

brazzy 5y ago

Everyone has choices. Authoritarian regimes are overthrown, slavery outlawed, political and economic participation broadened. The world is, very objectively, tremendously better to live in for the vast majority of people, than it was 200 years ago. Sure, there are contexts where the individual's choices that could lead to substantial improvement are so risky and the chances of success so small that it's rational not to try. But that's still a choice. All that cynicism does is dress up that choice as having no alternatives so you can feel better about it. Which is a totally human and understandable thing to do, but can easily be taken too far and applied in contexts where individual incremental improvements are absolutely possible and have a good chance of success.

shrimpx 5y ago
Sure. But notice that in the case of American black people’s plight, that’s the voice of the oppressor: “just be optimistic, work harder”. Meanwhile the oppressor cynically tightens the screws of oppression, e.g. by codifying racism into laws while making it illegal for black people to vote. So I would be careful insisting, again, that the victims of racism just choose positivity. Sure, there is a deep truth in that — ultimately you have to chose positivity to survive. But repeating that over and over is a cynical badge of racism.

robjan 5y ago

There are still choices between finding ways to work within the system and making the best of the situation or completely giving up and resigning to the fact that nothing will ever get better.