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Can anyone help me understand why Hasan Piker is so popular in leftist political spaces despite his immense privilege? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by extremeboredom@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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This guy's dad is the former VP of a multibillion dollar Turkish conglomerate, as well as the secretary of a government department. Mom and Dad were able to fly to their other home in NJ to give birth so he'd get US citizenship. His uncle is the founder and owner of TYT Media and gave him his media career. He went to Rutgers. He lives in a multimillion dollar mansion in the Hollywood Hills. This is by definition not the kind of person who can be a voice of the People. Saying "I recognize my privilege" over and over, while living his lifestyle, doesn't negate his privilege and complete lack of real-life experience outside of the curated garden of the wealthy. He gets paid obscene amounts of cash to sit in his bedroom and word-vomit for 9 hours a day. Why are his unending opinions taken so seriously? He gives me strong controlled opposition vibes.

Edit: Thank you all for this discussion. I learned a lot.

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[–] todd_bonzalez@lemm.ee 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

you need to be part of an org to be a socialist

Saying shit like this makes you feel special because you can call yourself a "Real Socialist", while gatekeeping political self-identification from anyone you feel isn't as pure as you.

Telling me that I'm not a Socialist because I'm not a registered member of a Socialist organization doesn't encourage me to join any organization. It encourages me to dump you and find an actual mutual ally.

Stop saying stupid exclusionary things about your left-wing allies if you want to actually have a movement capable of change. I'll happily accept anyone who believes in Socialism as a Socialist.

[–] AnneVolin@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Let's start with asking the question: how exactly are you an ally? what are the actual parameters of ally ship here? Do you do mutual aid? Do you voulunteer consistently in your community? Do you do organizing? Do you read theory?

Or do you just nod your head when someone says medicare for all or living wage? If so, why do you think you deserve any kind of accolades for simply vaguely agreeing with (and possibly also parroting) sloganeering?

Or do you post on vaguely leftist sites? If so why do you think you deserve any kind of accolades simply for posting, a recreational activity?

What is it that you've done besides call yourself a socialist that practically means something? And why is that worthy of praise?

[–] OurToothbrush@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Telling me that I’m not a Socialist because I’m not a registered member of a Socialist organization doesn’t encourage me to join any organization. It encourages me to dump you and find an actual mutual ally.

"Saying I'm only sympathetic to abolition if I'm not doing abolitionist work doesn't make me want to do abolitionist work"

Okay what will then, do you want a headpat or a handjob or what?

The dumped metaphor is great because in this metaphor you weren't dating to begin with. You were just admiring.

But seriously if someone questioning your commitment when you aren't committed makes you react with fleeing somewhere else that is on you.

Stop saying stupid exclusionary things about your left-wing allies if you want to actually have a movement capable of change.

If you're not in the movement you are not a socialist. The movement is a real, organized thing, not just vibes.