From J Bernard Jones....Well said too: The main problem with respectability politics is that it makes you responsible for your own persecution and abuse, maybe even your own murder. Doesnt matter how you are trying to be respectable. Dont wanna get raped? Dont wear that dress. Dont want to be tasered or shot by the cops? Forget you have Constitutional rights and be obedient to whoever claims authority over you. Dont want to be beaten because youre gay? Dont act gay. Dont want to be bullied because of your autism? Pretend you are normal. Dont want to be harassed on the internet? Dont be a woman. Dont want them to come after you? Dont give them a reason to come after you. Who does this serve and to what end, other than to turn over power to those who demand that you acquiesce, shirk and otherwise disavow your right as an individual and a citizen to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for their selfish and ill-defined goals There are appropriate conventions about how to act, behave and conduct ones self in any number of given situations, but the respectability politics crowd lives in a magic fairy land where if only certain kinds of people acted right, other people wouldnt have any reason at all to disrespect, abuse, or even kill them...because, you know, racists, homophobes, rapists and bullies are just that thoughtful and considerate that they will take your attempt to make them feel better about themselves to heart and not hurt you. Its worked so well in the past.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 14:34:54 +0000
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