Joining in the holiday DU navel gazing, a few, simple Progressive steps toward Respect and Community

[omega minimo]

Threads are appearing about post counts or long timers or un/recs or other social complications, amongst issues of the day: the health care legislation that leaves the cancer at the center of the health care delivery system intact, just as the Bankster bailout did.

Definitely a time to regroup on so many levels, as well as the traditional time for this sort of reflection.

There are some very simple steps that DUers can take, to improve the quality of discourse (as opposed to "cheapen it" as DU Rules warn against).

Especially after recent comments posted by the creator/administrator of DU, we are reminded to think of this as a community of people, a community of PROGRESSIVES.

The terms for right and left and far left and center and everything shift all over the map. DUers use them in discussion without defining what they mean, anyway.

However, "Progressive" implies a certain attitude, awareness, spirit and recognition of history and social progress: including previous progressive eras where progress was made; even if the clock has been almost entirely turned back on the successes. Even if the pivotal leaders were killed where they stood, while fighting to represent We, The People.

That awareness and attitude of a Progressive includes some knowledge of the issues that define those eras and the people in them, if not full fledged support for each one. The most basic notion of Progressive is the recognition and support of issues that are interdependent, if not necessarily one's (if Progressives have only one) own pet issue.

The vile anti-meme of "political correctness" provided the Repugnant Party a tool to leverage against otherwise well-intentioned people, to embarrass them into feeling like sissies or latte liberals or dreadlocked trust fund students, if they dared care about issues of social justice that didn't (appear to) affect them directly.

Social justice for all depends on social justice for some, and vice versa. We have been balkanized into subgroups politically and by our own digitized behavior on a board like this.

Being Progressive means having some basic level of respect for other issues and for others who care about them, even if you don't care. If "respect" is too strong a concept, try tolerance or basic courtesy.


The DU Administrator also commented that sometimes the disagreements seem so malicious and over-the-top that even he gets sick if it. He called for us all to make an effort to remember those things that unite us rather than divide us; remember what we have in common.

He went further, reminding all of us that when we disagree, we can do so in a spirit of mutual respect.

Remembering what unites us is Progressive.
Remembering what we have in common is Progressive.
Disagreeing in a spirit of mutual respect is Progressive.

Let's give ourselves a gift this Holiday Season, as members of DU -- a gift the Administrators and Mods will cherish year round.

Remember that this IS a Progressive board.
Discuss with a spirit of common cause and strength, not competition and insecurity.
Show mutual respect when learning from each other or disagreeing on a point or an issue.

If it comes in a Christmas message from DU Admin, who are you to say otherwise?

We don't need to argue (well some do, we can respect that) about Un/Rec or Low Post Counts or Longtime DUers With Low Post Counts. If we follow some simple steps, the real disruptors are easier to spot and eliminate. Don't tolerate bigoted comments on DU. Belligerence is a big red flag that the poster is not here with the Progressive intentions invoked in the Admin. reminder.

Let's see if we can get subthreads going that are ACTUAL DISCUSSION, not fisticuffs.

Let's see if we can volley posts back and forth at least ONCE, maybe even TWICE.

Let's read before reacting, not assuming the worst meaning but the best, as sometimes these disembodied words can set someone off with no real reason or intention at the other end.

Let's remember We're All In This Together.

Here's to the future :toast: HAPPY NEW YEAR :woohoo: :party: :grouphug: :pals:




http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html