Andy Shaw

10 easy steps to becoming a New Progressive

  • From Spectator Life

How did we arrive in this new golden era? We have advanced, become more open-minded, more accepting and more considerate. On the whole, people are treated as equals, regardless of gender, race or sexuality. We cherish our freedom. We like to be treated, and treat others, as individuals.

However, you must understand the world from the perspective of a New Progressive. Start by recognising that older people, like yourself, are motivated by selfishness and prejudice. You fail to notice injustice and ignore new ‘oppressions’ which are discovered daily. The old ways are crumbling. You must learn a new language, expected behaviours and ways of thinking.

From now on, consider everyone you know and identify them as ‘privileged’ or ‘vulnerable’. You can now start your journey to becoming a New Progressive.

Step 1: Learn your place

Being privileged used to mean having special rights or advantages based on power, influence and wealth. Now, you must reflect on your biology, race and sexual orientation. These define your position in the hierarchy of oppression.

Ask yourself who is privileged:

a) White investment banker
b) Black investment banker
c) White unemployed Geordie
d) Black former US president
e) Tech conglomerate CEO (lesbian)
f) Transsexual student at Oxford University
g) Heterosexual student in Luton





Answers: a) yes b) no c) yes d) no e) no f) no g) yes

Step 2: Find a victim and give them a voice. Your voice Those in need of genuine assistance are not ‘vulnerable’. Consider vulnerability from a different perspective. It is provided to those who are deemed ‘at risk’ of oppression. You must identify the specific oppression at the source of each person’s vulnerability. Act as their representative, to empower them. As their protector, you will gain confidence, authority and status. Although some may accuse you of becoming the newly privileged, you can be trusted because you represent the vulnerable.

Never grant autonomy to vulnerable people; they need to be protected from their own vulnerability.

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