Some things which I consider part of progressivism

The question came up regarding what I consider as part of progressivism. Like most names for philosophical and social views, "progressivism" has referred to different things at different times. One of the problems in using a single word to describe a group of views is that some people counter the current views with antiquated views which used the word in the past. An example is how a presenter in a YouTube video was falsely portraying the current Democratic party by talking about how they were generations ago. Another problem is how opponents misrepresent the current use of the word. Still another problem is the use of the word by groups in an attempt to make themselves look different from what they are. I have even seen some social conservatives referring to themselves as the true progressives. Multiple definitions which are currently in use are also problematic. Some of these factors are why I do not refer to myself as liberal. When it seems necessary to use a single word to represent my views, "progressive" in its current and broader use seems to fit. In general, I believe that we need to continue to change socially, educationally and environmentally. Change is necessary as new information becomes available. So I use "progressive" in the sense of the necessary positive changes which I see as needed on both a personal and societal level.

Here were my responses to the question with a few added. These are not in any sort of priority and only a partial list. Some are general since this is simply a list.

• Bettering humanity. We had some very bad ideas, some of which became institutionalized and affected how we treated each other. In addition to some people still holding onto those bad ideas, systemic factors continue to maintain both the ideas and the effects.
• Bettering the understanding of the human condition. Things are very complex. Part of what I consider progressive is acknowledging the complexities and acting accordingly. 
• Be honest and factual about history. Doing otherwise prevents us from understanding current conditions and may also lead to repeating past mistakes. A troubling phenomenon which I see is the de-factualization of history. Historical revision is good and important if it relates to a truer understanding. But some people are creating false histories to shore up fallacies in current events 
• Continually endeavor to distinguish between facts and beliefs or exaggeration. Words such as "fact" and "truth" are all too often used to refer to beliefs and ideas. I think that this is a serious detriment to progress.
• Details are also a part of being progressive. This includes existing information and consequences of policies and actions. Too many times, simplistic approaches to complex issues have created stagnation. As a simple example, things are often more complex than "us" and "them". Conditions such as racism or homelessness are all too often oversimplified by multiple sides.
• Understand the long term consequences of both current and past conditions. Racism and homophobia are examples of issues which have been affected by conditions across generations.
• Changing those things which have negatively impacted people
• Don't condemn others for their activities or relations if there's no harm being done. This also relates to understanding. If someone wants to have a perspective on something, take the time to understand it. Otherwise, be neutral. It's OK to say that I do not have a perspective on that because I do not know enough about it. Too many people have negative perspectives about "others" with no actual knowledge about them.
• Be willing to evolve one's viewpoint based on new factual information. I was given a lot of bad information when I was a kid. Once I realized that, I changed my views on a lot of things. Sometimes, those views changed simply because I realized that I had bad or incomplete information. Admitting that I did not know something was a form of information.
• Be willing to admit when "I don't know".
• Admit the wrongs of the past so that we can correct the current conditions impacted by the past, avoid those wrongs in the future and evolve our ethics. Generations of things like homophobia and forced segregation have impact long after those things end. Even on an individual level, things in the past affect current conditions.
• Do not get locked into ideals of the past. Dictates and rules made decades, centuries or millennia ago may be based on incorrect or incomplete information at the time. Plus conditions change and rules need to change accordingly. Humanity is not static. We continue to evolve, especially socially.
• Don't judge people simply because they are or act differently. Criteria for judging others should be more harm based according to real, tangible factors. At a minimum, be neutral regarding things which do not harm. Homophobia is a prime example of fearing "others" with no factual information for the fear.
• Become more cognitively capable
• Being more factual
• Not conflating facts simply with what feels correct.
• Acknowledge when feelings impact views or actions. It's not always a bad thing but feelings can also lead to generalizations and stagnation, especially on the negative side. A lot of racism and homophobia still exists because of feelings associated with them. But progress can also be positively impacted by feeling. This is one of the complexities of human existence.
• Admitting when I do not know something or was given false information and endeavor to find out what is actually true if I intend on taking a stance. 
• It is necessary for human health and life for humanity to clean up the environment. Consequently, it is necessary to evolve our technology to be cleaner even when there is initial financial impact. Long term, cleaner and healthier environments are more financially positive.
• Be open to expanding personal views on things even when it is uncomfortable but be aware of potentially misleading information.