# Sneering progressives are driving young white men into the arms of the GOP **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 4, 2018, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566 "2018-05-04T09:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 41
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/802 "2018-05-12T00:28:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > All it took for me is consistently reading Coates’ articles for the past several years. So “all it took” was one of the options I asked about. Reading him for over 3 years. OK thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/803 "2018-05-12T00:47:31Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I’m curious, how much study do you need to understand his articles properly then? Like a BA in black history or a couple of years of reading him? Or a Masters/4 years of reading? I’m only passingly familiar with Coates’ work, but I thought it was obvious just by reading the quoted passage as presented in **Blalron** ’s post. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/804 "2018-05-12T01:21:40Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’m only passingly familiar with Coates’ work, but I thought it was obvious just by reading the quoted passage as presented in **Blalron** ’s post. It was obvious to you that he didn’t mean actual white people have those privileges, just people ensconced in the white power structure? That all the wealthy entertainers who live in Calabasas are living “white freedom”, not your average rich artist freedom. If not for the white power structure there’s some obvious different way these people would live? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/805 "2018-05-12T01:45:08Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Coates uses words and phrases like “whiteness” in a specific way that’s familiar to his dedicated readers and scholars of black history, but different from what most others expect. So pure, dripping, unadulterated hatred then? Yeah that’s pretty specific. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/806 "2018-05-12T01:45:34Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > So “all it took” was one of the options I asked about. Reading him for over 3 years. OK thanks. You’re welcome for answering your question. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/807 "2018-05-12T01:47:56Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > So pure, dripping, unadulterated hatred then? Yeah that’s pretty specific. No. It’s been discussed in detail in different threads. I’ll see if I can find one. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/808 "2018-05-12T01:51:59Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > It was obvious to you that he didn’t mean actual white people have those privileges, just people ensconced in the white power structure? That all the wealthy entertainers who live in Calabasas are living “white freedom”, not your average rich artist freedom. If not for the white power structure there’s some obvious different way these people would live? Oh, he’s saying all white people have those privileges. He’s not saying that all white people _exercise_ those privileges, though. Pointing out that, as a white man, I’m much less likely to face severe consequences for committing sexual assault is not the same as saying all white men commit sexual assault. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/809 "2018-05-12T01:53:57Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > You’re welcome for answering your question. Sorry if that sounded snippy. I guess I just sensed snippiness from you but that was probably wrong. Thanks for real. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/810 "2018-05-12T01:58:16Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > No. It’s been discussed in detail in different threads. I’ll see if I can find one. Here’s one: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=835661](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=835661) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/811 "2018-05-12T02:05:23Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > So pure, dripping, unadulterated hatred then? Yeah that’s pretty specific. White privilege is reading a Ta-Nahisi Coates article and thinking that’s what “pure, dripping, unadulterated hatred,” looks like. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/812 "2018-05-12T02:29:36Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > White privilege is reading a Ta-Nahisi Coates article and thinking that’s what “pure, dripping, unadulterated hatred,” looks like. Black privilege is writing a racial diatribe, under your real name, calling it an “article” and getting paid for it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/813 "2018-05-12T02:58:45Z")
_shakes head_ White fragility. Sad, really. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/814 "2018-05-12T03:20:27Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Black privilege is writing a racial diatribe, under your real name, calling it an “article” and getting paid for it. Yikes ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/815 "2018-05-12T03:35:56Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Black privilege is writing a racial diatribe, under your real name, calling it an “article” and getting paid for it. These are complex issues with a lot of history behind them. It’s certainly much easier to lump attempts to address them into “racial diatribe” or similar categories, but that’s just avoiding a real and substantive discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/816 "2018-05-12T06:18:54Z")
That’s hardly a black privilege. It’s basically Fox News’ business model. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/817 "2018-05-12T11:11:12Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > So pure, dripping, unadulterated hatred then? Yeah that’s pretty specific. The left wing has a great sensitivity around saying derogatory things about minorities, with their concern for dogwhistles and microaggressions. Anything that could even subtly hint at a negative attitude towards marginalized groups. But it seems they can’t see anti-white bigotry even when it’s staring them in the face. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/818 "2018-05-12T11:55:57Z")
Sometimes, it is impossible to snark, no level of bitter sarcasm will matter, its like hunting a Tyrannosaurus with a Nerf bat. Your post is ban bait. Your post creates a situation where sincerity is punishable. Where sincerity is impossible, dialogue is absurd. I don’t doubt your sincerity, I mourn it. Tell you what. Picture is a worth a thousand words, show me a picture of a group of cretinous black folks standing around the dangling corpse of a lynched white man. Just one. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/819 "2018-05-12T12:21:13Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Oh, he’s saying all white people have those privileges. He’s not saying that all white people _exercise_ those privileges, though. Pointing out that, as a white man, I’m much less likely to face severe consequences for committing sexual assault is not the same as saying all white men commit sexual assault. No apparently, according to people who read him regularly “he’s not talking about white people, he’s talking about systems.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/820 "2018-05-12T12:34:00Z")
You have no doubt read about the Jewish leaders who were ensnared in Nazi procedures, keeping order, making bargains to stave off another shovel-full of horror. They were simultaneously the victims and the perpetrators. I will not presume to judge them, but that doesn’t change the fact that they became a part of the “system”, to use a galactic-level euphemism. Get it? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566/821 "2018-05-12T12:34:19Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > No apparently, according to people who read him regularly “he’s not talking about white people, he’s talking about systems.” Not exactly – he talks about systems when he uses phrases like “whiteness”, but he also talks about privileges, which can apply to all white people. He talks about a lot of things related to race and racism. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566.md?page=40) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneering-progressives-are-driving-young-white-men-into-the-arms-of-the-gop/813566.md?page=42)