City Journal Audio

What Drives Protest Culture?

10 snips
Oct 21, 2025
Tal Fortgang, a conservative commentator and expert on privilege, teams up with Daniel Di Martino, who has firsthand activism experience from Venezuela, for a lively discussion on protest culture. They delve into the motivations behind activism, contrasting generational differences and the legitimacy of various protest movements. Tal critiques contemporary campus activism versus historic civil rights protests, while Daniel shares insights on the stakes of protesting under authoritarian regimes. The conversation challenges the coherence of modern protests and examines media portrayal, revealing the complexities of today's activism.
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ANECDOTE

Pro-Israel Rally Experience

  • Tal Fortgang attended a pro-Israel rally after October 7th and felt disconnected from the ritual.
  • He agreed with the substance but didn't feel moved by protesting itself.
ANECDOTE

Protesting Under Authoritarianism

  • Daniel Di Martino protested frequently as a teenager in Venezuela against an authoritarian regime.
  • He links protest there to lack of democratic options, contrasting U.S. context.
ANECDOTE

Princeton Viral Essay Launch

  • Tal Fortgang wrote a viral Princeton piece titled "Why I'll Never Apologize for My White Male Privilege."
  • He challenged the prevailing 'privilege' narrative with gratitude toward immigrant sacrifice.
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