• astropenguin5@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Sure, America has been a pretty shitass state for a while. But when you say it shouldn’t exist, do you mean that it’s state and power structures should be completely demolished and reworked, with the general population and working class minimally harmed, or should it’s people also be removed? Because former is really fucking hard, but would be really good, and the latter is just bad.

    The problem people have with ‘death to amerikkka’ is that they value the people of America, and it’s culture. (Though there is something to be said for the culture being imperialist as well.) The mechanics of how the American empire could actually fall are pretty damn messy.

    • ComradeSharkfucker@lemmy.ml
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      3 days ago

      The former of course. I am not for genocide even if it is Americans. It is hard yes but it must be done. There does need to be reeducation though and the culture of Americans would need to drastically change. The US will cease to exist in our lifetime I only hope the world doesn’t go with it.

    • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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      3 days ago

      Sure, America has been a pretty shitass state for a while.

      More or less its entire existence, unfortunately.

      Comrade Sharkfucker stated clearly that America (the name of the state) does not deserve to exist. In my opinion there aren’t grounds in their comment to infer genocidal intent as (I think, I may be wrong) you are in your reply.

      The problem people have with ‘death to amerikkka’ is that they value the people of America, and it’s culture. (Though there is something to be said for the culture being imperialist as well.) The mechanics of how the American empire could actually fall are pretty damn messy.

      The Ayatollah Khamenei (IIRC) already had to explain on TV to Americans that “Death to America” refers to the American state and not its people. You’re correct that the end of America could be messy but, not to sound rude or argumentative, that is the problem of the American people and not the victims of America. If America is going to fall in a less messy manner rather than “the hard way”, so to speak, then likely the people of America will need to take action and carry out a revolution to bring that about before the collapse is forced onto them by circumstance.

      Sadly, in my opinion, a lot of the upset people feel in response to seeing “death to america” comes from a sort of fragility and self-centeredness of those who aren’t affected by America’s actions abroad and therefore aren’t bothered by them, or who in some cases are perhaps not aware of them in great detail or don’t understand the true scope and consequences of the American empire. As an analogy (not a perfect one), people being upset about “death to america” strikes me as a similar power dynamic as those upset about “anti-white racism”, but in the latter example we all (I hope) know better.

      • Hyperrealism@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        3 days ago

        Reminds me of White Fragility. How as white people we often become defensive when you discuss racism with us, because we have a poor understanding of racism, and are likely to feel personally attacked.

        Cognitive dissonance too.

        From what I can tell, a lot of (white) Americans have been taught from a young age that they’re living in the greatest country in the world and that they’re the good guys.

        Because (white) Americans have few interactions with non-Americans and non-American viewpoints through culture, when you point out America isn’t particularly great or good, this causes psychological stress, and can lead to emotional reactions.

        This is why I usually avoid making jokes at America’s expense when I interact with Americans, because they invariably become emotional about it. Best to flatter them a bit first, so their feelings don’t get hurt. It is what it is. Can’t blame them too much. People are people, and most Americans are people.

        • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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          3 days ago

          I agree with what you’re saying, but I have a comment on the last paragraph.

          I think it’s necessary to confront Americans with this. If they’re coddled and allowed to continue existing in a world where their exceptionalism is treated as the default, there’s no chance they’ll ever change. I think at least online they should be force to confront the idea that, to many people in the world, their country is a despicable force of evil and destruction.

          Beyond that, I’m tired of spaces online revolving around Americans, their news, their political opinions, and their chauvinistic worldview. There are 8 billion people in the world, and I think Americans are the ones who should have to reckon with the fact that perspectives which conflict with theirs are just as, if not more, valid. When they’re catered to in spaces like this, they keep coming back and spewing more chauvinism, which makes the spaces hostile to everyone else.

          Of course, this depends on where and how and who I’m talking to, as well as the purpose of the conversation.

          You are right IMO that it’s very much like white fragility and also disproportionately a problem with white Americans.

          People are people, and most Americans are people.

          Haha, just caught that little bit of flair at the end of your comment. Good one. chefs-kiss

          • Hyperrealism@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            3 days ago

            I get where you’re coming from, but as you also mentioned it depends on the purpose of the conversation. I think it was Napoleon who said to never interrupt your enemy when they’re making a mistake.

            Obviously we’re in for a rough few years, and it sucks for the sensible Americans even if they should do more to fight for what’s right, but ultimately the rampant chauvinism and exceptionalism is accelerating American imperial decline.

            It’s a bit like the guy who keeps bragging about how big his dick is. Sure you could tell them it makes the ladies drier than a bag of saw dust, but perhaps it’s for the best that you don’t stop him.

            I know this is a bit controversial, but I think this is why Trump’s partly been a blessing in disguise. He’s so disgusting that it’s become impossible for politicians in allied countries to continue pretending America is a bastion of freedom. They can longer pretend the US considers its allies as much more than client states.

            • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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              3 days ago

              Fair points. To be honest, my main concern when commenting in spaces like these is the state of “leftist” spaces, since that’s what’s directly affected by the act of commenting. I think allowing the chauvinism to run unchecked without being confronted makes these spaces quite painful to inhabit, especially for those targeted by that chauvinism.

              Related to what you’ve said, I’ve got one of the classics from the Chinese internet… You might enjoy it in the unlikely event you haven’t seen it before.

              Donald Trump standing in Tienanmen Square wearing a PLA uniform, captioned "The bullet pierced my ear, but I can still hear the voice of the Party" in Chinese and English.

              Remember JDPON Don. Internationalists are in control. Trust the plan.

              • Hyperrealism@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                3 days ago

                Yeah. You also have a point.

                It’s hard. I wish we could kick them in the nuts over the internet. Not because it would necessarily change anything, but so that the rest of us could be a bit less stressed about it all.

                Like the meme. Thanks.

                • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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                  3 days ago

                  It’s hard. I wish we could kick them in the nuts over the internet. Not because it would necessarily change anything, but so that the rest of us could be a bit less stressed about it all.

                  speech-top

                  based-department <- The Based Department.

                  Like the meme. Thanks.

                  07

        • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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          3 days ago

          Kickass comment right here

          Thanks! meow-hug

          with the fragility you described displayed throughout the thread LOL

          I really should have expected that, I suppose, lol.

      • Deceptichum@quokk.au
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        3 days ago

        Hey so, what do you think would be the end result of American soil turned to ashes?

        • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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          3 days ago

          Jesus Christ, this is exactly the fragility I was referring to. A meme about a (AFAIK Korean, so he would have very understandable reasons to feel this way) guy saying this has you crying about a fictional genocide against Americans.

          You are from the first world. You are not the victim of genocide. You’re basically crying about anti-white racism over hyperbole in a joke meme.

          • Deceptichum@quokk.au
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            3 days ago

            Oh so the meme was about a fictional genocide? I was confused because I was told there was no genocidal intent, sorry my bad!

            • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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              3 days ago

              fictional genocide

              no genocidal intent

              fictional

              Yes, I’m glad you understand and I could clear that up for you.

              Do you also cry like this when people say “racist” things about white people?

              • Deceptichum@quokk.au
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                3 days ago

                It’s a good thing it’s all just a joke, and you don’t like actually support the authoritarian shithole that is North Korea or anything.

                • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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                  3 days ago

                  lmao, as soon as I mention only the crimes of the US against the DPRK you start with the “authoritarian shithole” talk. And you wonder why people talk about hating the first world, when it produces attitudes such as yours.

                  Edit: Do you also cry like this when people say “racist” things about white people?

    • Digit@lemmy.wtf
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      3 days ago

      Similar question to those who spit hatefully at Israel, like they don’t realise they sound like “they do bad, so we must do worse”.

      • LeninWeave [any]@lemmy.mlOP
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        3 days ago

        they sound like “they do bad, so we must do worse”

        This is a strawman of the general pro-Palestine crowd and more or less exactly replicates zionist framing of the whole discourse.

        People have a right to spit hatefully at “Israel”. Frankly from my perspective it’s strange not to feel a desire to do so (meaning, not to feel a hatred of “Israel”).