“White Privilege, Male Privilege, Wealth Inequality, Class Privilege, Patriarchy, Racism, Sexism and Fascism. Something resembling these descriptions of deep problems at the basis of our societies (and each society practices them uniquely) is certainly going on. And pointing this out is important, yet the pointing must accomplish something a lot more meaningful than naming the victims and beneficiaries.

These problems aren’t new; they’re ancient. And they are vastly more complex than our current level of dialectic allows our understanding of. There’s no simple description that encompasses their unexpectedly diverse and sophisticated embodiments in and effects upon individuals and groups.

If we are to make any lasting change in our minds and societies we are going to have to make moves that radically reforge our perspectives, priorities and habits, because creating more divisions while we yell at problems in our culture is, in my view, a move that is too costly and ineffective to even consider. So what is needed is deep, intelligent conversation, exploration, and ways to forge unity that are based on enlightened mutual concern.

If we are capable of forging social unities that are true and intimate, these problems will suffocate as the impetus that funds them is diverted to humane purposes. If, on the other hand, we continue to divide, accuse and denigrate, we will end up in a situation where we are more easily controlled and lied to by the social structures (and media) whose ostensible purpose is to serve our humanity, development and liberty.

So we must be extremely careful and creative in our approach to these issues, for we are presently in danger of perpetuating them or breeding new forms of bias and ‘camp-righteousness’ that will almost certainly bring disaster while claiming heroism.”

— an anonymous informant