'White Dudes for Harris' is the latest in a series of Zoom gatherings backing the vice president
'White Dudes for Harris' is the latest in a series of Zoom gatherings backing the vice president
On a “White Dudes for Harris” virtual call, it was probably fitting that “The Dude” dropped in. Actor Jeff Bridges addressed a fundraising call geared toward white men supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ and sang her praises on Monday night.
I don't care who you are; if you're legally able to, go vote. Just goddamn vote. We can't survive a Trump sequel.
Before passing judgement, check out what was said in the call and what they stand for.
On their way to the Zoom call: https://youtu.be/LxQir5rAAes
I don't think sorting people by race and sex is a good strategy for appealing to swing voters.
It's worth noting that these zoom calls & livestreams are not organized by the Harris campaign (article points that out)
Its actually a genius strategy showing she has widespread appeal across different groups.
It isn't sorting, it is breaking stereotypes.
Because the swing voters are predominantly multiracial enbies?
I think they're saying swing voters are often white "I don't see race" types and don't understand why a black woman's organization should exist in the first place.
Good thing you're not running Harris's campaign then...
Do you think the several examples of "White guys? eww." found in this thread are a better strategy?
No one has done that, and I know because I'm one of the people you're complaining to. White men are value neutral. White men organizing on race and sex is the disturbing part because there's both no real need for it to happen and literally every other time it's happened it's devolved into white supremacy.
Even if organized for a good purpose, gathering white dudes together as a social group feels icky as all hell. Like are there really specific "white male" issues that need to be addressed (edit: by the campaign) or did they just feel obligated to continue the pattern?
I haven't been tracking the speakers at these gatherings, but it also seems like the white dudes call gets all kinds of political and Hollywood stars, because almost all the VP hopefuls are white men and white men already have a disproportionate influence in entertainment because of lazy corporate sexism and racism.
A friend who i like and trust very much shared a link. Because it came from him, i looked into it. I thought they had a nice writeup about contesting the white dude image. So it seemed less like "we're white men who like Harris" and more like "please don't think we're all trumpsters because of how we look."
Was curious and ended up looking at the live stream for a bit. From what I saw they largely talked about the need to be a part of solidarity with other group's struggles and a need to step up in that fight
(Also worth noting that it was not organized by the Harris campaign as the article points out)
Like are there really specific “white male” issues that need to be addressed (edit: by the campaign) or did they just feel obligated to continue the pattern?
Yes, the issue that needs to be addressed is the existence of that "ick factor" itself.
"Hispanic women for Harris!" Yay!
"Black nonbinaries for Harris!" Yay!
"White guys for Harris!" That's disgusting.
You know why young white men tend to be attracted to the Republican party? Because this is how the fucking Democrats talk to and about them. "Well the blue team seems to hate me, and the red team seems to hate everyone who isn't me. Guess I'm on the red team."
Do you see how easy it would be to starve the Republicans of support by keeping your own racism to yourself?
Like are there really specific “white male” issues that need to be addressed or did they just feel obligated to continue the pattern?
As a white guy, yes there are issues that need to be addressed like our particular type of toxic masculinity that is based on entitlement that is a common precurser to being an incel. Think of all the stereotypes where your first thought is "white guy", those are problems because they frequently lead to violence when they fall to hateful ideologies.
They are different problems that mostly consist of not being terrible instead of overcoming obstacles, but they are atill problems that need addressed.
I understand you would think that, but it's actually more of a reversal of harmful stereotypes "taking back my identity" kind of situation
There has never been a time in history when white men focusing on their identity as white men hasn't either started at or devolved into white supremacy. I don't think they're going to speed run this into a new Klan after a single virtual gathering, but there's a good reason to consider white-focused organizing distasteful.
There is a bit of an ick factor. But I think the counter argument would be that other white males who are on the fence would see this group, find theoretical solidarity, and potentially consider Harris.
That being said, as a white male, I'd feel weird joining a group that self-identified based on their white male-ness.
Nothing good ever comes from excluding X group based on sex, gender, skin color, or religious background. Literally how you end up with Syndrome from The Incredibles. It would be funny if it wasn't creating horrible things like Andrew Tate incel culture.
Keep everyone in the loop, nobody feels rejected, and you extinguish incel and populist instincts before they can flare up and cause major problems. A bit of love and affection goes a surprisingly long way.
I dunno, I'm just not on board with white male social groups, even if we think there are theoretical undecideds who want to see that they didn't get left out of all the special identity gatherings. I don't have or want racial solidarity with other whites, even if we're supposedly "taking it back". We'd all be rightly critical of a "white men for Trump" group for reasons beyond just it being for Trump.
God, I hope they can resist the urge to organize a "straights for Harris" call.
Men's groups where you talk about things like how to lend your power can be great. Those "white male" issues are usually around not properly recognizing the societal power disparity. Or being someone who is seem as having power because they look like any other white man, but don't because you're gay, or trans, or short, or skinny.
To describe a group coming together for something as icky. Well that makes you icky.
Shut up