Alt-left
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Overview
Alt-Left refers to a loosely defined term to describe left-wing principles, organizations, politicians and activists, encompassing almost everything outside the norm of mainstream democratic liberal politics. Used as both a pejorative and an affirmative, alike, alt-left has been used as a catchall term for far-left political ideologies such as socialism, anarchism, communism as well as Antifa groups. However, because this term remains so undefined and widely denounced amongst the groups associated with it, many of the ideologies within the so-call "alt-left" contradict from group to group. Most groups refuse to give the term creedance, and after U.S. President Donald Trump used the term in a 2017 press conference, many have stated that it is a meaningless phrase.
History
On May 29th, 2010, the Swiss political party the Alternative Left (or "Alternative Linke") was founded.[1] The party's goals were to unite the far-left political parties of Switzerland under a democratic socialist platform.[2] The party's website reads (translated to English):
"A call to all these women and men of our country, who are locally involved in the social movement, trade unionism, the associative fabric, environmental struggles, growth objection, food sovereignty, culture: let's create this together A new left-wing political force, an ecosocialist, which is so much lacking in Switzerland."
On August 4th, 2015, Redditor launched zxz242 the subreddit /r/AlternativeLeft.[3] According to the Reddit's purpose, the subreddit is open to all far-left leaning ideas. It reads:
"To improve communication between individuals who are dissatisfied with the behaviour and morality common to the mainstream Left and the far-Left.
This is oriented to be a place for Left-wing Nationalism, Left Communism, Anarchism of all branches, and any other form of political revisionism.
Yes, syncretic politics are welcome among regulars and contributors, so long as they're based on empirical evidence, and not on mysticism, romanticism, and traditionalism."
On October 12th, 2015, the website AltLeft.com was registered.[4] One month later, Rabbit, the site's owner, posted published his first post, entitled "A Clockwork Greenshirt – Introducing the Alt Left." According to the site, the AltLeft politically runs "to the left of Alt-right."
"Religion – Mostly outright atheist or agnostic, occasionally some nominal identification with ancient European religions/mythology. Extremely rationalist, skeptical of supernatural or “new agey” beliefs, homeopathic medicine and conspiracy theories.
Economics – oppose laissez-faire capitalism and excessive consumerism, free trade. Where corporate profit interests run counter to the interests of the nation and the people, regulation is needed. Recognizes benefits of capitalism in generating wealth but also skeptical of “market forces” which seem just as likely to lead to an Idiocracy styled “Brawndo” aesthetic than a dwarf planet mining colony. In addition to fostering an environment for dual-loyalties, Transnational laissez-faire capitalism seems to correlate with a population of fatasses: walking advertisements hooked on cheap Walmart junk, garbage entertainment and fast food. Tend to favor mercantilism and soft socialism(Norway without 3rd world immigration)
Prefer fair trade(or free trade only with nations that have similar standards of living and environmental controls) including tariffs, value added tax etc. Some support for soft socialism and state capitalism(but racially conscious.)
Democracy/Government – opposes “warm body democracy.” Prefer some type of confederate. Participation in government selection must be earned in some way, through intelligence testing, civil service and sacrifice to demonstrate concern for the greater interests of the group(think Heinlein’s Starship Troopers.) Sometimes fascist ideology or national bolshevism…occasionally sympathetic to Soviet communism.
Technology – Support for new medical technology, research initiatives, cloning, and space exploration without any of the reflexive anti-whitism, “noble savage” fetishism or “Little House on the Praireactionary” longing that dominates much of the traditional left and right.
Race – The postmodern left is defined mostly by it’s ceaseless advocacy of ethnomasochism for ancestral Europeans. It claims to promote egalitarian values but in both net effect and rhetoric has become implicitly anti-white. The AltLeft is for racially aware whites who don’t feel like they have anything to apologize for. Culture is a biological expression of race. Genetic average differences in IQ and behavior exist between races. These are observable on a large scale. Many so called “left wing” values like feminism, tolerance for alternative lifestyles, and sexual freedom are not(at least at the present time) compatible with the third world populations the left currently champions. Support for (most)non-White immigration is counterproductive in the long term if it results in whites becoming a minority. Recognition of the disproportionate number of Jews with tendencies to oppose white people collectively acting in their interests.
Art – The AltLeft is more open to different styles of art. Conservatives tend to rail against “modern art” while often not being able to distinguish between modernism and postmodernism(though they probably would hate both.) The simplest imperfect analogy for modern vs postmodern would be Dr.Evil vs Austin Powers.
Social Issues – tolerance for(or indifference to) abortion, birth control, homosexuality and prostitution to varying degrees. Support for eugenics and transhumanism.
Feminism – Generally support for 2nd wave feminism, TERFs, etc. Rejects intersectionality for being anti-white and for its advocates being apologists for non-whites, who rape women and commit violence towards women at much higher rates. Intersectional feminism indirectly promotes “rape culture” by naively importing it under the guise of sticking up for the oppressed.
People in the AltLeft usually accept that there are biological differences between men and women which affect how they interact with one another(beyond social pressures and conditioning.) They have a tendency to be “purple pill,” agreeing with certain manosphere concepts and rejecting much of the intersectional men’s rights movement that blames Western women for most of society’s ills.
Foreign policy – mostly isolationist or non-interventionist, reject neocolonialism except in space."
On April 9th, 2016, the Facebook group "Alternative Left" launched.[6] The group's about section reads, "Leftist but against political correctness. Against SJWs but still socially liberal. Civil and cultural libertarian. Economic leftism." As of August 2017, the group has more than 2,000 likes and 2,000 follows.
On December 1st, The Washington Post[15] published "Introducing the ‘alt-left’: The GOP’s response to its alt-right problem." In the article, the Post reports that conservative advocacy group One Nation released a statement under the subject line "“Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders Lead Alt-Left in Hijacking of Bipartisan Medical Research Bill."
On April 30th, 2017, YouTuber Tim Pool posted a video entitled "THE RISE OF THE ALT-LEFT." In the video (shown below), Pool draws a distinction between liberals and the "alt-left," asserting that "alt-left" groups are fringe groups "do not do research." He says, "When you're talking to someone who is adamant a Trump hat is triggering and could cause, you know, anxiety to certain marginalized voices that is 'alt-left.' That is this belief almost as extreme as white nationalism." As of August 2017, the video has been viewed more than 67,000 views.
On August 15th, the New York Times[13] spoke to researchers who said "there is no such thing as the 'alt-left.'"
“It did not arise organically, and it refers to no actual group or movement or network,” Mark Pitcavage, an analyst at the Anti-Defamation League, told the Times. 'It’s just a made-up epithet, similar to certain people calling any news they don’t like ‘fake news.'"
Highlights
Liberalism and The Alt-Left
In March 2017, Vanity Fair[7] magazine published an article entitled "Why the Alt-Left Is A Problem Too," which pointed to far-left activist groups that supported Bernie Sanders, derided Hillary Clinton and reject "identity politics" as a problem for American left-wing politics. On March 6th, New Republic magazine responded to that article in a piece called "Liberalism Needs the 'Alt-Left,'" refuting Vanity Fair's assertions.
Over the next few months, many centrist and liberal commentators used the term. On August 16th, 2016 MSNBC host Joy Reid tweeted in response to another's post, "'Alt left' -- well done. Perfect descriptor." The tweet (shown below) received more than 120 retweets and 90 likes as of August 2017.
Liberal use of the term "alt left" has largely been refuted by those within far-left groups. On August 12th, 2017, Twitter @Lukewsavage wrote, "'Alt left' is a term quite literally designed to draw equivalence between white supremacists and people who want universal healthcare." Within four days, the tweet (shown below) has received more than 33,000 retweets and 86,000 likes.
Trump "Unite The Right Rally" Comments
Following the violent Unite The Right Rally that left one person dead and dozens injured, President Donald Trump made a series of statements on the event. Initially, in a press conference he said, "We condemn in the strongest possible terms, this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides."[8] The following day, Trump delivered another statement. He said,[9] "Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the K.K.K., neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."
On August 15th, during another press conference at Trump Tower, Trump made more comments on his previous statements, backing up his original words (shown below). He said, "What about the alt-left that came charging at the alt-right? Do they have any semblance of guilt? What about the fact that they came charging with clubs in their hands?"
The reaction to Trump's comments brought the term "alt left" into a wider conversation. Many online disagreed with Trump's statements, asserting that he created a false equivalancy between white supremacists and neo-Nazis and those who stand against them. The prevailing take is that "alt left" is anyone who opposes Nazism and as America opposed Nazism in World War II, being American makes one "Alt-Left."
That day, comedian and actor Patton Osawalt[11] posted a picture of fictional character Indiana Jones punching a Nazi. He captioned the tweet (shown below, left) "Liberal arts college professor brutalizes Nazi, who has a permit. More alt-left indoctrination." The post received more than 53,000 retweets and 127,000 likes. Twitter user @Scott_Gilmore[12] posted a picture of the U.S. military storming the beaches of Normandy, France to fight the Nazis during World War II. He captioned the post "Alt-left, violently coming at the alt-right, circa 1944." The post (shown below, right) received more than 42,000 retweets and 88,000 likes.
That day, former head of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke,[10] tweeted his support of the president's statements. He said, "Thank you President Trump for your honesty & courage to tell the truth about #Charlottesville & condemn the leftist terrorists in BLM/Antifa." The tweet (shown below) received more than 2,900 retweets and 2,000 likes.
Trump's use of the term alt-left set off more criticism of the more moderate democrats use of the term. On August 16th, New Republic Magazine[14] published an article entitled "Liberals Helped Create Trump’s New Bogeyman, the 'Alt-Left.'" Twitter also pointed out their issues with the term, stating that it creates a fale equivlancy between the left and Nazis.
Search Interest
External References
[1] Wikipedia – "Alternative Left"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_Left
[3] Reddit – /r/AlternativeLeft
[4] Who.Is – altleft.com
[5] AltLeft – A Clockwork Greenshirt – Introducing the Alt Left
[6] Facebook – Alternative Left
[7] Vanity Fair – WHY THE ALT-LEFT IS A PROBLEM, TOO
[8] New York Times – "Trump Defends Initial Remarks on Charlottesville; Again Blames ‘Both Sides'"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/15/us/politics/trump-press-conference-charlottesville.html?_r=0
[9] New York Times – "New Outcry as Trump Rebukes Charlottesville Racists 2 Days Later":
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/us/politics/trump-charlottesville-protest.html
[10] Twitter – @DrDavidDuke's Tweet
[11] Twitter – @PattonOswalt's Tweet
[12] Twitter – @Scott_Gilmore's Tweet
[13] The New York Times – Alt-Right, Alt-Left, Antifa: A Glossary of Extremist Language
[14] New Republic – Liberals Helped Create Trump’s New Bogeyman, the 'Alt-Left'
[15] The Washington Post – Introducing the ‘alt-left’: The GOP’s response to its alt-right problem
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Nedhitis
Aug 16, 2017 at 02:31PM EDT
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