The Economics of Newism
It’s in the moral gap, mentioned in the last chapter that Newism reveals it (currently) ideal position for its application.
How I define this moral gap is with a very crude (and almost completely ‘unresearched’) formula.
The ‘extreme left’, violent revolutionaries, militant politically correct people, antifa etc.
= 10% of the population
The ‘extreme right’, fascists, violent nationalists, militant protectors of 2nd amendment etc.
= 10% of the population
Which leaves 80% of people somewhere in the middle, non-violent communists, actual conservatives, (filthy) centrists, progressives who disown the far left, political realists question China / Islam for with no racist undertones etc.
This is where Newism makes its movement. It’s within the majority of people that we all want change – and though we might come from different ‘Ism’ there are sure to be some things we agree on that we could put aside our Ism-hats, and actually get the ball rolling on.
Because I believe that there is an unfortunate reality where the extreme left, and the extreme right create and control the talking points. The loudest, most extreme voices controlling the discussion in turn, creates this false sense of absolute polarity between what should be done on moral issues. Thus the middle 80% throw up their hands and say fuck it. What’s the point of being engaged if the extreme right and left, which appear to represent everyone – will both demonise me. One extreme, for being ‘the enemy’ and the other extreme for not daring to pull out a knife and get real stabby real quick with all those labelled ‘the enemy’.
Newism can be the white flag that the middle 80% of the political spectrum could fly in the hopes of having a constructive dialogue. In practice, Newists could be a political party, perhaps an alliance of independents who would act as centrists that rein in the ideological nonsense of a party that appeals exclusively to ‘the left or the right’. Newism could be setting up a group encouraging people from different backgrounds and ideologies to explain their beliefs to each other in a constructive way.
But when I think of ‘Newism’ in practice, I think of a conversation I recently had with my father when I visited him. We were having a nice night and some beers and talking shit. Then I remember bringing up my theory about the 80% thing, and the problem with people being politically disengaged (particularly in Australia). I can’t remember how it came up, but the issue got to Black Lives Matter, and my Dad mentioned a good point in that the situation over in America is different to Australia. I said yes, I think it’s much worse over in America for Black rights, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an issue hear that still should be focused on and fixed. My Dad had the opinion that there was nothing left to do in Australia regarding Black rights. So, I pressed him on the issue. He continued, saying there are already effective programs in place and a larger plan to ‘close the gap’ that was making progress. ‘It’s just not an issue you can keep throwing money at. At the end of the day, Aboriginal people have to take responsibility for themselves,’ I retorted – I’m the first to agree that, to treat any group as needing to be exclusively ‘saved’, like they don’t have any ability for autonomy, is indeed its own form of racism. But to think of it in such individual terms. Is to deny intergeneration trauma, I mean. Aboriginal society was doing great until Europeans rocked up. Do you think that’s a coincidence that they have had such a hard time adapting to our western culture? A culture which invaded, persecuted, and dehumanised them?
“I’m aware of that. But that happened hundreds of years ago. The Australian government isn’t responsible for it.” I remember getting a little pissed off. It was uncharacteristic of my Dad to be acting in a way I felt was ‘racist.’
“So. Say an old lady gets robbed across the street, then beaten and left. It’s moral to shrug and go, well – that wasn’t me who did that to her – so I have no obligation to help her?” I said, obviously getting agitated.
“Well no. That what I mean. I think it’s the right thing to do, going over and making sure she’s ok and help her out. But I don’t have to say sorry for what I didn’t do. And it’s not my responsibility to make sure she never gets robbed again,”
I felt a lecture about ‘White privilege’ boiling away in my mind. But a different thought came. Newism! So I took a sip of beer and a deep breath.
“Why do you feel so strongly about this, Dad?” I asked
“Well, it’s like this whole Invasion Day nonsense. If there were a day for every time a country got invaded, Europe would have the whole year off.”
“But Dad, plenty of countries have days of morning – Poland has one, off the top of my head,”
“But that was in recent history, how far back are we going to start going?”
“Dad though we are the victors; we are also the invaders. We weren’t the ones negatively affected by the invasion. And we should be the ones telling the people we attacked they can’t morn?”
“I’m not saying they can’t morn. I’ve read up on Australian history and yeah, all the shit Britain did was atrocious, and I don’t agree with it at all. But I just don’t think it’s fair to say I’m a racist just because want to keep Australia day.”
“I never said you were racist Dad.”
“Well they get these people and interview them on ABC, and those black people, even respected elders – get up there and say ‘oh if you don’t want to have Australia day, you’re a racist’ “
“Well yeah, I don’t agree with that at all. This is what I was talking about. That kind of view, it’s a leftist extremist 10% view. Even among my black friends, I don’t know anyone who would think that way.”
My Dad’s tone changed, ever so slightly upset, he said
“You know Son, I’ve always been a leftie, and a progressive. I’ve been on the side of gay rights, minority rights and social programs ever since I left home and went you Uni. It’s a bit rich to be told I’m a racist, when I used to go to rally’s and meetings and. I had the Mabo court case on TV every morning when you were just a baby,”
I realised what happened. My Dad, who maybe isn’t fully up to date with the modern perspective of black rights in the modern-day, but nonetheless has been an ally and left-wing supporter or progress, is suddenly called ‘a racist’ because he doesn’t hold the exact opinion that someone on the extreme left has? And this is what happens from both angles. Reasonable people, good people, read the news, read their social media, and get turned into demons from one angle or the other.
Then they get defensive; then they get jaded. Then they accept the influence of the opposite extreme into their hearts. After a much more cooled two minutes of conversation, I’d convinced Dad that having both Australia day (on our federation’s anniversary) and an Invasion day, was a solution that made sense for everyone.
That’s Newism in practice; sitting down, talking to people and not demonising them, even though it’s very human and natural to do so. Asking why? Why do they have the belief they do? Where did it come from? Another source? A specific reason? And asking the same of yourself. That is the fertile ground where people who may disagree on many things, can come to a point where there is something they do agree on. Some change that moves things forward and makes both parties happy.
That’s Newism – it’s the 80% of us, actually listening, and engaging our empathy with the goal of moving towards bigger and better things.