• certified sinonist@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    56·
    3 months ago

    Am I wrong that the yanks are so cooked that Hasan is still undeniably a good presence in their politics? The guy has gotten fairly close to normalizing the idea of “America deserved 9/11 for its imperialism,” if not just getting it broadcast wide and loud.

    I’m a cynic when it comes to American politics, and that informs my view of Hasan in terms of weighing up his good vs his bad. From where I’m standing, he’s spreading the good tankie word, which is undeniably good. His bad is that his reformist politics will get yanks nowhere. I think it’s a fair trade off.

    t. guy who doesn’t watch streamers, all of my hasan knowledge is osmosis

    • Llituro [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
      40·
      3 months ago

      i’m on the opposite end of the consumption spectrum here and you’ve pretty much got it bang on. i think his “reformist politics” are overstated. his role is raising consciousness and informing, not getting candidates elected. he’s supported candidates who are exclusively opposed by and funded against by the democratic party. they’re aren’t socialist, but in his broader commentary and established political project, the point isn’t to try and magically socialize the democratic party: the goal is to try and help elect people that want to end the genocide, and that they tend to be great mouthpieces for the failed neoliberalist democratic party is all the better.

      • spectre [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
        21·
        3 months ago

        It is also a very good thing if the people he boosts get crushed by the establishment (either before or after getting elected).

        The idea that voting harder will resolve issues needs to be destroyed in the minds of american liberals (and this is partially underway). If there is a better way of propagandizing it than just outright demonstrating it, then I guess I wish someone would inform me about that. Explaining theory doesn’t work at scale.

        It is also important to keep in mind that Hasan is a figurehead propagandist for the US American Left. His audience is growing with the mainstream coverage, and these people are varely-deconstructed liberals. He would not have his platform (which is valuable to our movement) if he didnt channel his call to action toward things that are easily digestible. “Vote against Zionist/AIPAC candidates -> get involved with their campaigns -> organize outside of the electoral system (start a union, join DSA/PSL)” is a straightforward way to activate his large audience. Over the course of several years it will generate thousands of left-wing leaders who will be equipped (from their experience and education) for more advanced tactics.

        It is a shame that this is the most prominent left figure available, but PSL are not yet up to the task. At the same time, Hasan’s prominence could lead to that (or something that is equivalently effect).

        • Llituro [he/him, they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
          9·
          3 months ago

          100%. i agree with your analysis entirely.

          It is a shame that this is the most prominent left figure available, but PSL are not yet up to the task. At the same time, Hasan’s prominence could lead to that (or something that is equivalently effect).

          to that point, i’ve always appreciated his willingness to work with bt news and code pink, two of the media organizations that are often considered PSL-affiliated.

        • RedWizard [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
          3·
          2 months ago

          At present it is often difficult for the British Communists even to approach the masses, even to make themselves heard. But if I address the masses as a Communist, and invite them to vote for Henderson against Lloyd George, I most certainly will be listened to. And, being listened to, I shall be able to popularize the idea, not only that Soviets are better than Parliaments, and that the dictatorship of the proletariat is better than the dictatorship of Churchill (disguised under the name of bourgeois “democracy”), but also that I am prepared to support Henderson by my vote in just the same way as a rope supports the man who has hanged himself. ​And, as the Hendersons draw nearer to the formation of their own government, it will be proved that I am right, it will draw the masses to my side and will facilitate the political death of the Hendersons and Snowdens, as happened in the case of their co-thinkers in Russia and in Germany.

    • Lussy [he/him, des/pair]@hexbear.net
      English
      15·
      3 months ago

      Am I wrong that the yanks are so cooked that Hasan is still undeniably a good presence in their politics?

      I think the same way, and I expected the likes of Hasan not to lecture about Graham Plattner and Tucker Carlson. Fuck me I guess.