[Lightspeed]

The cruel violence of ‘kindness’ and ‘unity’

The truth is that in an exceptionally unequal society like ours, it’s impossible to govern for all “New Zealanders”. You cannot serve the interests of wealthy conservatives, and then claim to be remotely interested in addressing poverty, homelessness, mass incarceration and climate change. You have to choose one – there is no legitimate and honest middle ground or ‘centre’.

Contrary to popular belief, the ‘centre’ isn’t a place for reasonable, measured minds who can see valid points on both sides and find a just and fair compromise. The ‘centre’ doesn’t actually exist. It’s an imagined safe space for people who are deeply invested in inequality in a settler-colonial, capitalist state but still want to be perceived as kind and decent people.