Probably the most maddening thing about the Left is how it simultaneously loves victimhood for itself and deeply resents anyone else who says they’ve been harmed too.
It’s why liberals in the national media have in recent years characterized, with piping hot condescension, something they call “white grievance,” the idea being that racist whites are acting out politically as they see the country’s demographics turn against them.
New York Times liberal Charlie Warzel described the “grievance” mindset this way on Thursday: “We came to power because we were the overlooked, hated silent majority. But, when we came to power, our opposition hated us and treated us unfairly. The result of that treatment is the loss of our power and proof that the system is rigged against us. Once again, we’re the overlooked, silent majority.”
Regardless of whether or not this is an accurate description of how a lot of conservatives think, why should it deserve any more criticism than liberals’ endless list of grievances? When they whine about “white supremacy” and “the patriarchy,” there is no acceptable response to that outside of a silent nod. (If you say anything otherwise, of course, you’re racist.)
Liberals insist that they’re the victims of white supremacy, policing, sexism, “cultural appropriation,” transphobia, and “toxic masculinity.”
Conservatives note that it’s unfair to keep them out of church while Black Lives Matter rioters get a pass, and the Left rolls its eyes at the “white grievance.”
Wallowing in victimhood is never attractive. But if Democrats are going to glorify it for themselves, they’ll have to get used to hearing about the legitimate problems of everyone else too.
