Anti-Imperialism is a Non-Negotiable
Holding Zohran, Bernie, and AOC accountable
We constantly talk about the importance of holding politicians accountable. I think we can all agree that we SHOULD hold them accountable since they exist to serve us. We pay them, we vote them in, and they should always be at the mercy of the masses. So if we acknowledge these things as true, I have a question: why do some of you bitch and moan when we actually try to hold them accountable?
Actually, I wish complaining about accountability was the only thing these sycophants did. But no, they do far more. They defend these politicians when they are in the wrong, they make excuses for them, and they accuse you of purity testing. Let’s be clear, we can’t hold anyone accountable if you all run to the front lines with pitchforks and torches to defend them uncritically.
Enough of the game of “guess who”. Who do we need to hold accountable? Three names that many of you aren’t ready to address.
Mayor Mamdani, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, and Sen. Sanders. What did they do?
Anti-Imperialism and The Left
One of the key requirements for being considered, in my humble opinion, is staunch anti-imperialism. You cannot compromise on this value under any circumstances. These three have made, and will likely continue to make, concessions regarding this vital part of our ideology.
Bernie Sanders is a liberal Zionist. He affirms Israel’s right to exist, took an eternity to admit it was a genocide, and sees the issue of Israeli apartheid and torment of the Palestinian people as “ Netanyahu’s war”. But this is all old news, and I’m not here to serve you leftovers. Let’s talk about his response (the more recent one) regarding the U.S. Kidnapping of President Maduro.
Let’s be clear, anyone who addresses American imperial action in Venezuela and feels compelled to mention that Maduro is a dictator is either a fool or a spineless coward. Regurgitating Trump administration language to get your point across is only going to weaken your message and make everyone question your intent.
Whether Maduro is or isn’t a dictator is completely irrelevant.
America has no right to play the role of the world police, judge, jury, or executioner. Constantly reiterating that Maduro is a dictator simply manufactures consent and public support for the Trump Administration’s imperialism. Especially when it’s clear that the goal is not the liberation of the Venezuelan people, but material gains for the wealthiest in our country.
Calling Castro a dictator was an excuse for the Cuban economic sanctions that are still harming the country today. Calling Gaddafi a dictator was an excuse to destabilize Libya. Calling the leaders of other countries dictators and fabricating, overexaggerating, or leveraging “evil” actions they “committed” is a textbook excuse for America. Whether it’s claims of narco-terrorism, developing nukes, or any weapons of mass destruction.
Bernie’s statement annoys me so deeply because he should know what this language does. Being anti-imperialist requires tact (tact in this circumstance meaning strategic, not politeness), and his statement had none. Speaking of lacking tact, let’s address the other two.
Zohran, AOC, and Zionist Apologia
I don’t believe Zohran Mamdani is a Zionist. Less certain about AOC at this point, however (I am giving her too much credit, she’s a liberal Zionist too). But I am certain that they both have an issue with engaging in Zionist apologia.
In Queens on Thursday, there was a pro-Palestinian protest. During this protest, there were Pro-Hamas chants. (Mainstream media seems to leave out the fact that there were Jewish protesters in the crowd. Interesting detail to miss, ain’t it?)
Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization. A label that carries so little moral weight, it feels ridiculous every time someone attempts to use it as “valid criticism.” The United States is a nation that aids and commits acts of global terrorism constantly. When Hamas attacks colonizers infringing upon their people’s human rights, it’s terrorism. When America bombs foreign nations, killing civilians, it’s called geopolitics. Who’s the real terrorist?
Condemning the Revolutionaries = Victim Blaming
Condemning Hamas is as asinine as condemning a slave revolt. Claiming that Hamas represents “killing all Jews” is the same as claiming that slave revolts in America represented killing all white people. Zohran’s condemnation of protected speech is disappointing to say the least. It’s not defensible either.
Zohran could fly to Tel Aviv right now, and kiss Netanyahu’s ass, and he’d get called an antisemite all over again tomorrow.
Nothing he does at this point will stop these attacks, and trying to appease the Zionists at this point only makes the left lose faith in him. His apparent anti-Zionism was a major aspect of his appeal.
But from the footage I saw, they pulled up on him and asked him how he felt. So there’s at least an “excuse” there (too bad he doubled down on Twitter).
Then there’s AOC. Her statement on the pro-Hamas chant was so unbelievably bad, I thought it was satire at first. To have THIS level of condescension when you’re already on thin ice with the left is actually insane.
AOC may be one of the rare left-wing grifters. This is characterized by her inconsistencies as she teeters between being a democratic socialist and the second coming of Nancy Pelosi. Condemns Israeli aggression and Palestinian resistance at the same time. Votes on both pro and anti-Israel measures. A member of DSA, yet a loyalist for establishment democrats. Doesn’t support primary challenges of powerful democrats, yet got into office doing the same thing. Zohran is consistent, Bernie is consistent, but AOC is not.
The reason I am focusing on her more than the other two is because her career trajectory has far more possibilities that could potentially alter U.S. politics. Bernie’s career will end sooner rather than later, and Zohran at this point is unlikely to seek anything beyond the Mayor of NYC.
We may very likely end up with Senator Ocasio-Cortez, or even President Ocasio-Cortez. And these races will absolutely require further betrayal of the left ideology, yet many of us will fall for it and be funneled back into the Democratic Party. This is why it’s important for people like me, and all of you reading this, to draw the line in the sand for what is and isn’t left.
Takeaways in case you forget everything I wrote earlier:
You are not an anti-imperialist/anti-colonialist if you constantly find excuses to shed tears for the perpetrators. We are leaving all sympathies for the devil behind. It’s up to you if you’d like to be left behind with it.
Being Anti-Genocide and Anti-Zionist are NOT the same thing. Be both. Opposing the act of genocide is the bare minimum. You can do so (aesthetically, not materially) without directly rejecting the state of Israel. Opposing Zionism is a rejection of the state and ideology that engages in genocide and other heinous acts for its gain.
Anti-Zionism is the new meta. I stand by my previous statements that you will gain far more support from the average person these days, being a staunch anti-Zionist rather than an Israel apologist. Our next elected President will be the candidate who opposes Israel the most. Mark my words.