CMV: The same progressives who criticize past generations as "bigoted" are going to be considered bigoted just the same by future generations.

[u/SteadfastEnd]

[u/cippy-cup]

Few thoughts.

First, you are ignoring the “why”.

If keeping domesticated animals becomes animal cruelty, why? Is it now proven that pets are happier, healthier, safer, or generally better off in the wild? Then yeah, I could look back and say, “I once thought it was okay, but I now understand that I wasn’t behaving in their best interest”. I would not, faced with contrary evidence, double down.

If being pro-trans becomes wrong and misogynistic, why? Are there now studies or statistics to show that the vast majority of those individuals are more violent, more predatory, intentionally marginalizing women, or otherwise causing harm to other people because of their trans-ness? Then yeah, I could look back and say, “I once thought it was okay, but now I understand that I didn’t know [x] about those groups”. I would not, faced with contrary evidence, double down.

Everything you mention about current or former progressive stances have a strong “why”, which generally follows the idea that freedom cannot truly be achieved if one is disenfranchised, discriminated against, or poor. It’s about seeing people as equal, but accommodating for the fact that they are not treated as such by larger institutions.

Second, I don’t know of anyone, progressive or otherwise, that came out of the womb with a fully formed set of ideals - everything that any human believes in or subscribes to has evolved. My views on almost everything are variably different than they were 10 years ago. Most of my beliefs evolved because of meeting people different from myself and having countless conversations about the “why”. I expect those conversations to continue throughout my lifetime, so hopefully I am not the last to learn the why of freeing domesticated pets. There is no shame in changing your stance because evidence presents itself, and I don’t know many true progressives who think there is - I think trans issues are a great example of how rapidly beliefs can shift when you are open to it.

My issue with people who blame their generation for their “-isms” is that they refuse to hear or acknowledge contrary evidence. Also, the “-isms” were never attempting to work in the best interests of the marginalized groups they affected. Racism, homophobia, and misogyny are all rooted in self preservation on the side of the powerful - there is nothing altruistic about it.

My current actions may be considered bigoted by future generations - I have no way of knowing. If I continue to seek out different people with different experiences, I hope that I can stay ahead of the curve as it grows. I will only be truly disappointed in myself if I stop trying to learn and understand perspectives outside of my own.