Every time someone says “politics doesn’t belong in online platforms,” I have the following response:
Are you unaware that there are entire professions devoted to politics, ethics, and human rights?
Or is it that you have no interest in these things?
Because you have no interest in changing a world that already suits you.
A world built on
supremacy
patriarchy
misogyny
classism
colonialism
ableism
racism
ageism
genocide
hunger
xenophobia
homophobia
transphobia
science denial
climate denial
medical injustice
educational erosion
misinformation and disinformation
gerrymandering
corporate money in politics
alignment with autocrats
the destruction of alliances
the rejection of ethics, law, and accountability
And countless other systems of injustice.
You’d rather drift toward fascism to preserve these systems of violence, fear, and oppression—
ensconced in relative safety,
profiting from harm done to others—
than do the harder work of becoming a better human being.
Than learn how to live in a world where others have equal dignity and rights.
Where they demand the same respect, opportunities, and protections you already enjoy.
So no, the problem was never them.
And it was never politics on social media.
The problem is the reflection staring back at you.
Here’s looking at you kid… And so it goes.