I know I’m not the only one who sees a potential positive in the fact that Democrats are having in-depth conversations about who is best fit to lead the fight against neofascists. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ready to move on and find party unity.
But the notion that the media is “telling me what to think” instead of how to think more critically, is wrong-headed; it’s unfortunately a popular opinion among some on the Left at the moment. I’ve read/listened to eleventy-hundred different political opinions by people spanning the pundit-sphere and have had conversations with folks who think very differently than I do, and I can say I’m more informed for it, not less. I’m learning my blind spots as well as where I’ve aligned with others.
I’m not afraid that the press corps has been asking tough questions. Having watched a conspiracy theorist get radicalized online by MAGA who now insists that Antifa is who stormed the capitol on Jan 6, I’m dismayed by how many people are posting about how the media is to blame in this situation and they are canceling XYZ subscription. Granted, I think network TV offers a different experience of news than reading/listening to opposing political opinion pieces in online news outlets and podcasts, and I understand that there’s a lot of noise too.
But I’m glad to be challenged on my views because it sharpens my thinking. I’m going to do everything I can to win, but I want the party to be aligned around who is best, and I accept that the party is having to figure that out.
After Biden’s high-stakes press conference last night, I decided the only way I’m going to get through these next four months is to embrace the chaos of this moment and hope that there will be more clarity and alignment soon. I’m more sober about this election than any other in my life, and I think it’s good that so many people are invested and care about getting it right. There is unity in that so many know we need to deny the neofascist movement political power.
Élan Young 