This might be a silly question, so I want to preface it with an apology in advance and if you think there is a better place to ask please let me know.
I’ve come across a large number of self-described “anarchists” or “non-communist leftists,” or the like, mostly online,thanks to where I live (谢天谢地). But whenever you look a bit closer, the pattern is the same: underneath the aesthetics and language, it’s just liberalism. Pro-NATO positions, contempt toward the global periphery, and extremely reactionary responses when imperialism or capitalism are seriously questioned.
So my question is: Is adopting these leftist identities a kind of defensive mechanism (an attempt to distance themselves from the real-world damage caused by liberal ideology) or am I misunderstanding what’s actually going on?
Sorry you had to deal with that. It sounds like a disappointing experience. I hope you feel welcome here.
To add to all the good answers already given: there’s also a lot of racism involved. There are people who genuinely think of themselves as leftists and who might not think they are being racist, but the internalized chauvinism still clouds their judgement. They are unable to fully feel the weight and importance of non-western/non-white peoples thoughts and emotions. Those just register less to them and feel distant and less real. Even to self-proclaimed anti-racists. That’s one contributing reason to why they don’t notice the contradiction in their values, which you mentioned.
One antidote to that is genuine human connection to bridge the racist empathy gap. Historic materialist analysis helps a lot too, of course, but it’s not always enough in my experience. Look for the ones who have close non-western friends, partners and family who are affected by NATO wars, they tend to learn faster.