Before I respond to the views at the tweets - I feel like I should say what I do think. Matty Healy has basically the same politics of Harry Styles, except he's strongly drawn to people being angry at him rather than strongly afraid of it. I think it's the sort of political action that I'd expect with someone who has that sort of analysis and also deeply held beliefs (and basic drive). It's a more committed version of waving a flag on stage (which I also don't put that much weight on).
I totally understand the guy who talks about being pissed off that Matty Healy is framed as a hero in the video. And absolutely I understand mocking, being sceptical, or hostile to framing
But I have a fundamental political disagreement with I think everyone in that thread. A core tenant of my belief is that people are not responsible for state repression. People defying state repression are not responsible for that repression. Even if they're outsiders. Even if they're fucking around. Even if they're annoying, full of themselves, dickheads. I believe if you're going to do any politics that has any chance of changing anything - then you have to hold to that basic principle. I get that it can be incredibly tempting (and I am speaking from intense experience here), but as an absolute core principle of useful politics and solidarity - you cannot indulge in that temptation.
One of the things that I feel like is being revealed in this whole discourse - is how easy it is to spread reactionary ideas in the current moment - if you use certain tropes to make it seem progressive. In particular if you define privilege on an individual basis - then you can use that dynamic to advance regressive ideas. The idea that people are responsible for the oppression of the state is an incredibly regressive one - that actively corrodes solidarity and increases state power.
And I understand that a lot of people do believe that other people are responsible for state repression. I understand that that's an idea that is inculcated and spread exactly for the same reasons that I oppose it. I cannot agree with an argument that blames other people for state repression - and given you asked specifically about what I thought I'm going to say that. But I think there are other ways you can be cognizant about what people were saying - even if you don't agree with the arguments they're saying. For example, I think it's a good sign that if anyone was valorising the 1975's action they are centering their own beliefs and reactions.
Sometimes I see fan art for a fandom I don’t even know anything about but the artist obviously put a lot of work into the art and cares a lot about the fandom and I’m just like. Good for you good for you. And I give the post a like so that it gets more engagement and people who like that fandom can see it.
i do unironically think the best artists of our generation are posting to get 20 notes and 3 reblogs btw. that fanfic with like 45 kudos is some of the best stuff ever written. those OCs you carry around have some of the richest backstories and worldbuilding someone has ever seen. please do not think that reaching only a few people when you post means your art isn't worth celebrating.