• PeleSpirit@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    26
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    8 months ago

    I am optimistic that each generation will get better,

    I thought this too but then it didn’t in a lot of ways and did in some. If we do our best and try to spread that to our kids and our circles, that’s the only way. I never in a million years thought we would go so far backwards on so many issues like civil rights, abortion and worker’s rights. I know it would be a roller coaster but I didn’t think the dips would be that far down.

    • alvvayson@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      15
      ·
      8 months ago

      Yeah, but that’s not because of generational progress.

      Many civil rights in the USA weren’t properly arranged for through democratic laws, but by Supreme Court decisions.

      They were always at risk. Once you achieve the same level of progress through electoral majorities, they are much more stable and secure.

      As for workers rights and inequality, there is a similar story. Between the great depression and globalization there was a time of great progress, but it was never sustainable.

      It only occurred because two world wars and a great depression left the world in tatters and destroyed the power of the wealthy, while the Western world still fully enjoyed the fruits of colonialism. Western Middle classes suddenly had all the power for a brief moment in time.

      Now, we will have to figure out how to create real equality, without exploiting other countries and without relying on war and depression to break the power of the rich.