Regarding the comment When Bush was inaugurated in 2001, he was sworn in after a blessing "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Christian Dominionism is growing, and it scares the living shit out of me. can I just say that it scares the living hell out of me too and I'm neither American nor jewish. By the time "The West Wing" was over I was furious with it for how much the "good guys" screwed the minorities over with their behaviour and how NOBODY called them on it (except once or twice in the early episodes). It put me off the democrats completely. Normally I don't read the fandoms to know if/how much it was noted there.
I can understand the urge to pass as what ever the majority is. IMO That is not so much about race or religion as a desire to fit in and be like everyone else. Of course there is also the desire not to have to explain the fact that you ARE different every time you open your front door too.
In (http://technosage.livejournal.com/200493.html?thread=4050477#t4050477) one commenter states "One thing that frustrates me in discussions about race and power and the things that attend is that so many privileged white people in fandom (and really, in, you know, the world) are reluctant to really engage because they somehow feel that their privilege precludes their opinions." And I would agree. But for completely other reasons from their next sentence. I feel like because I am white my opinion doesn't count. I didn't even feel entitled to go reading ibarw. If I agree, it is of no importance and if I disagree, it is just more proof that white people are bigots, especially me. I read the links but left no comments despite wanting to on several occasions.
I am all for ending discrimination. But I want to stop putting labels on it - Antisemitic, racism, sectarianism, homophobia etc. To me, labeling is a way of reinforcing the differences. I've never met anyone who fit into one of the boxes that could be used to identify them. Discrimination is discrimination. People have died for every difference under the sun. Should we not stop arguing about whether it was one kind of discrimination or another?
Discrimination needs to be flagged when we see it - but do we have to put it in a box and label it as a specific kind?
I know it must have been hard to write this entry and I want to thank you for having the nerve. In the past I have phrased myself badly and ended up saying things I didn't mean or meaning things I didn't say or.. So I hope I have expressed this clearly and not given offence. None is intended- I'm trying to understand and learn.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-09-10 12:36 am (UTC)I can understand the urge to pass as what ever the majority is. IMO That is not so much about race or religion as a desire to fit in and be like everyone else. Of course there is also the desire not to have to explain the fact that you ARE different every time you open your front door too.
In (http://technosage.livejournal.com/200493.html?thread=4050477#t4050477) one commenter states "One thing that frustrates me in discussions about race and power and the things that attend is that so many privileged white people in fandom (and really, in, you know, the world) are reluctant to really engage because they somehow feel that their privilege precludes their opinions." And I would agree. But for completely other reasons from their next sentence. I feel like because I am white my opinion doesn't count. I didn't even feel entitled to go reading ibarw. If I agree, it is of no importance and if I disagree, it is just more proof that white people are bigots, especially me. I read the links but left no comments despite wanting to on several occasions.
I am all for ending discrimination. But I want to stop putting labels on it - Antisemitic, racism, sectarianism, homophobia etc. To me, labeling is a way of reinforcing the differences. I've never met anyone who fit into one of the boxes that could be used to identify them. Discrimination is discrimination. People have died for every difference under the sun. Should we not stop arguing about whether it was one kind of discrimination or another?
Discrimination needs to be flagged when we see it - but do we have to put it in a box and label it as a specific kind?
I know it must have been hard to write this entry and I want to thank you for having the nerve. In the past I have phrased myself badly and ended up saying things I didn't mean or meaning things I didn't say or.. So I hope I have expressed this clearly and not given offence. None is intended- I'm trying to understand and learn.