What's the difference between progressive and conservative?

I will take a stab at the simplest description of the two competing world-views (I'll call them progressive vs. conservative):

Progressive: Demonstrating
Conservative: Becoming

In the example of opposition to racism (I'll take it as given, for the purpose of argument, at least, that this is the correct position), the progressive purpose is to demonstrate superior opposition to racism. The conservative purpose is to be transformed by better understanding first principles- as a consequence the conservative becomes less racist.

Demonstrating is an attempt to influence.
Becoming is choosing to be influenced.

Demonstrating feels much less risky, because when we, ourselves are influenced, it may be for good, or ill, and the consequences benign, or dire, affect us directly (so, I recommend choosing your influences wisely). But avoiding the conscious choice of influence doesn't avoid influence, or the consequences, it tends to put that choice in the hands of others, who tend, arguably, to be those with a more hidden agenda.

Put more simply, the demonstrator, who learns to point fingers skillfully, in the desire to avoid having to answer the questions which can arise in the person who is pointed at, is in fact influenced- at least, to become a finger-pointer.