Why on Earth would anyone, especially intelligent people who usually make so much sense, sign a letter that has an unknown author, undefined important terms, and a complete lack of awareness? Usually, the name at the top of the list of signatories is the writer or commissioner of a group letter, so it is with sadness that I have to put Simon Edge in the frame for responsibility, pending further information. However - having read all his books and a lot of his other output - it his not his style, though anything written by committee (which this so evidently is) loses individual fingerprints. However (again), if it is by committee (presumably this "GC Anti Far Right" group), why isn't their name at the top? There is something undeniably odd about the thing.
I know that questioning "racism" is very difficult - it is the one aspect of "critical theory" I have the biggest throwing off. BLM was the event that shook my unthinking acceptance of the narrative. I went to look for evidence of what was being claimed, and found the opposite. The "take the knee" was fatal - I bow to no one unless I choose to. I then started looking at the situation over here, and found the narrative similarly skewed and being used to cover up a troubling situation about which public debate was needed, and had been for a long time. Despite that, I have found it difficult to shake off the shackles on my speech ingrained over so many years. This is the insidiousness of wokeism - it piggybacks on good intentions until it produces witlessness. I wouldn't be surprised to see some - not many - of those signatories rowing back over the next few weeks once they realise just what they signed. Others, of course, will dig in.
I agree with all that. Barry makes a distinction between anti-racism and anti-racist but I would like to reclaim the word 'anti-racist'. It is Critical Race Theory and groups such as BLM ( as you say) that are the problem. I do hope that more signatories have a re-think.
I am not on Twitter but my wife informs me that, amongst her 'circles', the letter is getting roundly condemned.
Great comment Jeremy and I hope you’re feeling better now.
I empathise with your discomfort at the realisation that the narrative you had always accepted, was flawed. I think many of us on the left have had that awakening. I now find it liberating. My opinions are based on the evidence that I can find rather than what the tribe tells me to think.
I agree, TT and another trouble is that 'the tribe' are reading the Guardian and the Independent ( loved Andrew Doyle's description of the latter as not a proper paper any longer) and the BBC so they are not going to have the facts eg the WPATH Files - still not covered by the BBC!
"My opinions are based on the evidence I can find rather than what the tribe tells me to think." Exactly, TT. There's something frightening about finding one was almost in a tribe without realising, though. Some of the names on that list are accounts I have enjoyed - and probably will enjoy with caution - interacting with for some time. At least now I know that there are limits on what I can be open about.
I also get the sneaking feeling that we are being told not to be nasty to the Labour Government - we should go and have cosy chats with them. Best of luck with that😊
Thanks as ever, for a range of great pieces Dusty.
I don’t think I want to add anything to what I said on the last update apart from saying that my opinion of Rosie Duffield had already plummeted when she helped to get Labour elected, knowing what the Party has become and what it intended to do. If our speech is further eroded by this govt, she will have been instrumental in making it more difficult for sex realists to fight gender ideology and the erosion of womens rights.
This update is proving a bit sluggish in terms of viewing figures, so, if you enjoyed it, I'd appreciate it if you could push it around a bit. Hope you caught the excellent episode of the Mess this evening:
Why on Earth would anyone, especially intelligent people who usually make so much sense, sign a letter that has an unknown author, undefined important terms, and a complete lack of awareness? Usually, the name at the top of the list of signatories is the writer or commissioner of a group letter, so it is with sadness that I have to put Simon Edge in the frame for responsibility, pending further information. However - having read all his books and a lot of his other output - it his not his style, though anything written by committee (which this so evidently is) loses individual fingerprints. However (again), if it is by committee (presumably this "GC Anti Far Right" group), why isn't their name at the top? There is something undeniably odd about the thing.
I know that questioning "racism" is very difficult - it is the one aspect of "critical theory" I have the biggest throwing off. BLM was the event that shook my unthinking acceptance of the narrative. I went to look for evidence of what was being claimed, and found the opposite. The "take the knee" was fatal - I bow to no one unless I choose to. I then started looking at the situation over here, and found the narrative similarly skewed and being used to cover up a troubling situation about which public debate was needed, and had been for a long time. Despite that, I have found it difficult to shake off the shackles on my speech ingrained over so many years. This is the insidiousness of wokeism - it piggybacks on good intentions until it produces witlessness. I wouldn't be surprised to see some - not many - of those signatories rowing back over the next few weeks once they realise just what they signed. Others, of course, will dig in.
Hi Jeremy
I agree with all that. Barry makes a distinction between anti-racism and anti-racist but I would like to reclaim the word 'anti-racist'. It is Critical Race Theory and groups such as BLM ( as you say) that are the problem. I do hope that more signatories have a re-think.
I am not on Twitter but my wife informs me that, amongst her 'circles', the letter is getting roundly condemned.
Dusty
Great comment Jeremy and I hope you’re feeling better now.
I empathise with your discomfort at the realisation that the narrative you had always accepted, was flawed. I think many of us on the left have had that awakening. I now find it liberating. My opinions are based on the evidence that I can find rather than what the tribe tells me to think.
I agree, TT and another trouble is that 'the tribe' are reading the Guardian and the Independent ( loved Andrew Doyle's description of the latter as not a proper paper any longer) and the BBC so they are not going to have the facts eg the WPATH Files - still not covered by the BBC!
Dusty
"My opinions are based on the evidence I can find rather than what the tribe tells me to think." Exactly, TT. There's something frightening about finding one was almost in a tribe without realising, though. Some of the names on that list are accounts I have enjoyed - and probably will enjoy with caution - interacting with for some time. At least now I know that there are limits on what I can be open about.
Thank you for the good wishes!
I agree, Jeremy, I will follow some of those names with a new caution!
There is one lawyer in their midst who recently complained about being piled on on Twitter and now he gets involved in what is effectively a pile on!
Dusty
I also get the sneaking feeling that we are being told not to be nasty to the Labour Government - we should go and have cosy chats with them. Best of luck with that😊
Dusty
Thanks as ever, for a range of great pieces Dusty.
I don’t think I want to add anything to what I said on the last update apart from saying that my opinion of Rosie Duffield had already plummeted when she helped to get Labour elected, knowing what the Party has become and what it intended to do. If our speech is further eroded by this govt, she will have been instrumental in making it more difficult for sex realists to fight gender ideology and the erosion of womens rights.
You're welcome, TT.
I am afraid I totally agree with regard to Rosie!
Dusty
😂 👏 KJKs rebuttal, brilliant.
Dear readers
This update is proving a bit sluggish in terms of viewing figures, so, if you enjoyed it, I'd appreciate it if you could push it around a bit. Hope you caught the excellent episode of the Mess this evening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLfFKwhLETs
I'll be back either tomorrow or Tuesday 😎
Dusty