Activist and transformation guide Robert shares a powerful take on purity culture in progressive spaces, the importance of nuance, and how we can unite across differences to create real change.
THANK YOU! You just defined all the reasons I’ve always been surrounded by activists but have never been to a protest or taken action. I’ve sat back quietly and watched us eat our own more times, tearing ourselves up from within and judging others for things that ultimately DO NOT MATTER. As for me, I sat on a Zoom call where 45 mins were spent deciding what TIME to protest - and then showed up at the appointed time in a freezing downpour to do what needed to be done.
I found your article very helpful and passed it on to many I knew were participating. So you linked to Amazon? No one had to use that.
I appreciate the effort and the thought behind your article. When we protested 50 years ago, today’s technology clearly didn’t exist. So we have to adjust.
Thank you Loraine, I appreciate your kind words. And I agree - we need to adjust to the current times and the current fight, while also learning from what worked in the past.
This purity testing is an issue I'm noticing alot in social media lately myself, and I have no patience for it.
We have millions of Americans joining the resistance right now who are new to protesting, both boots on the ground and online, and making them pass purity tests is only going to alienate many of them.
This is a fight for democracy, not a high society luncheon, so following decorum rules isn't a priority I'm concerned with.
As long as they aren't harming anyone, they are welcome in my spaces.
I myself still use Amazon when necessary to fit my blue collar budget, although I try to keep it minimal as possible. I have no patience for the liberal gatekeepers who spend more time scolding than welcoming everyone trying to join the resistance in whatever ways that work for their lifestyle, time constraints and budgets.
It's alienating people who are trying to help, which is definitely not helpful to the cause. Just like I often say about MAGA, we need to meet them where they are. There is to much division in this country nowadays, to be nit picking over details that don't involve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the people who are trying to help.
Boycotting is a luxury that millions don't have the privilege of being able to participate in, and I'm not going to assume they do, or admonish them when they don't. If they are trying to join the resistance, I will be welcoming them with open arms.
YES, Susan! This right here. We don’t win by creating purity Olympics—we win by organizing, showing up, and making space for everyone trying to do their part. Boycotts can be a tool, but they shouldn’t become a litmus test for "real" resistance. Let’s meet people where they are and keep the fires burning for actual change.
I agree- purity tests go too far. Black and white thinking is actually one of several types of thinking traps ( cognitive distortions) which we all can fall into at times. They cause us suffering.
Here are a few examples:
Filtering. ...
Discounting the positive. ...
Polarization or all-or-nothing thinking. ...
Overgeneralization. ...
Jumping to conclusions. ...
Catastrophizing. ...
Personalization. ...
Fallacies.
However, regarding purity tests, it is also essential that we not adopt the behaviors of those we are trying to minimize. In my opinion, identifying your core values and then taking action based on those values is the key.
Thanks so much for this, Jill. You're spot on—those thinking traps can sneak in so easily, especially in emotionally charged moments. I really appreciate the reminder to lead with our values instead of reacting in kind. That’s the path to real transformation. Grateful you shared this. 💛
Now is the absolute worst time for gatekeeping and airing historical grievances
I have been anti-war my whole life. I have friends who are veterans and stood in favor of wars I still think were immoral and counter productive. As long as we agree that the constitution is worth saving: we are allies. Full stop.
Very well said! And I agree. I believe we have a baseline we can agree on, form around, and move forward from. Our democracy and the very lives and freedoms of ourselves, loved ones, and neighbors are truly under attack. We can argue specific policies later.
THANK YOU! You just defined all the reasons I’ve always been surrounded by activists but have never been to a protest or taken action. I’ve sat back quietly and watched us eat our own more times, tearing ourselves up from within and judging others for things that ultimately DO NOT MATTER. As for me, I sat on a Zoom call where 45 mins were spent deciding what TIME to protest - and then showed up at the appointed time in a freezing downpour to do what needed to be done.
Your article was great. Thank you for it.
Thank you Gail and thank you for reading!
I found your article very helpful and passed it on to many I knew were participating. So you linked to Amazon? No one had to use that.
I appreciate the effort and the thought behind your article. When we protested 50 years ago, today’s technology clearly didn’t exist. So we have to adjust.
Thank you Loraine, I appreciate your kind words. And I agree - we need to adjust to the current times and the current fight, while also learning from what worked in the past.
This purity testing is an issue I'm noticing alot in social media lately myself, and I have no patience for it.
We have millions of Americans joining the resistance right now who are new to protesting, both boots on the ground and online, and making them pass purity tests is only going to alienate many of them.
This is a fight for democracy, not a high society luncheon, so following decorum rules isn't a priority I'm concerned with.
As long as they aren't harming anyone, they are welcome in my spaces.
I myself still use Amazon when necessary to fit my blue collar budget, although I try to keep it minimal as possible. I have no patience for the liberal gatekeepers who spend more time scolding than welcoming everyone trying to join the resistance in whatever ways that work for their lifestyle, time constraints and budgets.
It's alienating people who are trying to help, which is definitely not helpful to the cause. Just like I often say about MAGA, we need to meet them where they are. There is to much division in this country nowadays, to be nit picking over details that don't involve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the people who are trying to help.
Boycotting is a luxury that millions don't have the privilege of being able to participate in, and I'm not going to assume they do, or admonish them when they don't. If they are trying to join the resistance, I will be welcoming them with open arms.
YES, Susan! This right here. We don’t win by creating purity Olympics—we win by organizing, showing up, and making space for everyone trying to do their part. Boycotts can be a tool, but they shouldn’t become a litmus test for "real" resistance. Let’s meet people where they are and keep the fires burning for actual change.
I agree- purity tests go too far. Black and white thinking is actually one of several types of thinking traps ( cognitive distortions) which we all can fall into at times. They cause us suffering.
Here are a few examples:
Filtering. ...
Discounting the positive. ...
Polarization or all-or-nothing thinking. ...
Overgeneralization. ...
Jumping to conclusions. ...
Catastrophizing. ...
Personalization. ...
Fallacies.
However, regarding purity tests, it is also essential that we not adopt the behaviors of those we are trying to minimize. In my opinion, identifying your core values and then taking action based on those values is the key.
Thanks so much for this, Jill. You're spot on—those thinking traps can sneak in so easily, especially in emotionally charged moments. I really appreciate the reminder to lead with our values instead of reacting in kind. That’s the path to real transformation. Grateful you shared this. 💛
Divide and conquer.
Now is the absolute worst time for gatekeeping and airing historical grievances
I have been anti-war my whole life. I have friends who are veterans and stood in favor of wars I still think were immoral and counter productive. As long as we agree that the constitution is worth saving: we are allies. Full stop.
Very well said! And I agree. I believe we have a baseline we can agree on, form around, and move forward from. Our democracy and the very lives and freedoms of ourselves, loved ones, and neighbors are truly under attack. We can argue specific policies later.