The writer Freddie deBoer has no respect for Antifa: as he impolitely put it they spend their time looking for people whose wrists are somehow thinner than theirs to beat up.
I believe that Ms. Rommelmann in her dispatches from Portland for Reason couldn't help but notice how many of the protesters seemed to be overweight, or physically clumsy. On the rare occasions when the cops actually physically engaged in confrontation it was no contest as they tore makeshift shields away with their bare hands and swatted at protesters like flies. When watching footage I couldn't help but think to myself that the jocks just showed up, with predictable results. Political positions can be debated--they are subject to reason. But when the underlying issue is the personal and deep feelings of insecurity and ressentiment the issue becomes a lot stickier.
Re the Portland protestors. I think you’re right. Aside from being a Substack writer, I’m also a book editor. One of my clients is famous--Christian Picciolini, an ex Nazi skinhead. He left the white power movement in the mid-nineties. Since then he’s been a fervent anti-hate activist. Anyway, my point is: He always used to tell that he was a good kid but that his folks worked a lot and he was lonely and it was wrong time, wrong place. He got attention and love and it came from the wrong crowd. He says everyone is seeking ICP: Identity, community and purpose. I think the same self-loathing, craving for love and attention, and fear animates these kids. Two sides; same coin. Hate is hate. Ya know?
The paragraph beginning with 'Emphasis mine' is magnificent. You capture a whole host of concepts and ugly dynamics perfectly in there.
I am absolutely making these cookies!
The writer Freddie deBoer has no respect for Antifa: as he impolitely put it they spend their time looking for people whose wrists are somehow thinner than theirs to beat up.
I believe that Ms. Rommelmann in her dispatches from Portland for Reason couldn't help but notice how many of the protesters seemed to be overweight, or physically clumsy. On the rare occasions when the cops actually physically engaged in confrontation it was no contest as they tore makeshift shields away with their bare hands and swatted at protesters like flies. When watching footage I couldn't help but think to myself that the jocks just showed up, with predictable results. Political positions can be debated--they are subject to reason. But when the underlying issue is the personal and deep feelings of insecurity and ressentiment the issue becomes a lot stickier.
Beautifully stated.
Ok we’re good ❤️
Re the Portland protestors. I think you’re right. Aside from being a Substack writer, I’m also a book editor. One of my clients is famous--Christian Picciolini, an ex Nazi skinhead. He left the white power movement in the mid-nineties. Since then he’s been a fervent anti-hate activist. Anyway, my point is: He always used to tell that he was a good kid but that his folks worked a lot and he was lonely and it was wrong time, wrong place. He got attention and love and it came from the wrong crowd. He says everyone is seeking ICP: Identity, community and purpose. I think the same self-loathing, craving for love and attention, and fear animates these kids. Two sides; same coin. Hate is hate. Ya know?
Readers here might like this: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/the-new-york-times-still-has-guts
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/