Why I Can’t Get Behind the “Anti” Bandwagon

In the bustling global village of Porto, there’s a movement that’s stirring up more drama than a telenovela at prime time. It’s the anti-gentrification squad, marching with banners waving high. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good cause, but this one smells like a cocktail of xenophobia, utopian daydreams, a dash of hypocrisy, and a sprinkle of paternalism. I’ll circle back to this hot potato in a future post, but for now, let’s chat about why I’m not boarding the “anti” train.

Flashback to two years before my grand entrance into the world (that’s May 1964 for the history buffs), Robert Kennedy stood at the University of Pennsylvania and dropped a truth bomb: “About one-fifth of the people are against everything all of the time.” Fast forward to today’s Facebook frenzy, and it seems that percentage has skyrocketed. We’ve got more “anti” groups than cat videos on the internet, and that’s saying something.

The pseudo-progressive crowd loves to wear their “anti” badges with pride. “Anti-fascists,” “anti-capitalists,” “anti-this,” “anti-that.” But ask them what they’re actually cheering for, and you’ll get a vision of society that’s more fantasy than reality, complete with unicorns and rainbows.

Let’s face it, defining yourself by what you’re against is the intellectual equivalent of microwaving a gourmet meal—it’s quick, it’s easy, and it makes you look oh-so-cool. But let’s not kid ourselves; it’s about as fulfilling as a bag of chips for dinner.

Now, the “anti” menu is vast: GMOs, the Illuminati, TAFTA, the orthographic agreement for the Portuguese language, chemtrails… the list goes on. No expertise required—just hit that “Like” button and voila, you’re part of the club. But be selective, my friends. Not all “antis” are created equal.

Here’s the scoop:
  • Cool: Anti neo-liberalism. Anti big-Pharma. Anti Free-Trade agreements.
  • So Last Season: Anti-globalization, anti orthographic agreement. 
  • Total Faux Pas: Anti big-tobacco (because let’s be real, someone in your brunch circle is puffing away).

Given the scarcity of groups promoting thoughtful chin-wags, I’m tempted to start my own Facebook group—the Anti “Anti-Anything” Club. It’s meta, it’s cheeky, and it’s the perfect place for those who prefer a hearty debate over a hashtag war. So, who’s in for a little less confrontation and a little more conversation?

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