I hold this outrage along with my outrage in Gaza. I do not have to choose between them. But I do choose peace. I choose justice. I choose dignity for all people.

Can you? I’m genuinely curious.

It seems obvious to me that the conservative view of any period will always be looked back upon as being ignorant and foolish. I can’t think of any counter-example at a macro level.

So, if conservatism is about maintaining the status quo, and history shows us the status quo has always needed improving and growth, why does anyone think their conservatism is the one that got it right? Why do any of us think we live in, or already declined from, the pinnacle of human culture?

To put it another way, the standard conservative views of any period were the liberal views of a culture 100 years ago. And that has always been true in all times and in all cultures.

Now, here’s my main question:

Can you point to any conservative movement in history that wasn’t about preserving power and privilege, but instead about thoughtful, gradual change for the good of everyone?

Time and again, conservatism doesn’t just slow progress—it actively works to keep things the way they are, protecting the rich and powerful and upholding systems of oppression.

In the 1850s, conservatives fought to keep slavery.

In the 1960s, they fought to maintain Jim Crow.

In the 80’s they fought to uphold apartheid.

And today, we see conservative resistance to LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform.

Which made me wonder:

Which conservative movements have contributed to that growth and improvement?

There have always been local, temporary regressions, but on a big enough timeline (~100 years) the world is undeniably better than it was before that in terms of justice, health, and safety.