August 2012
79 posts
“We need to acknowledge that we cannot know what it’s like to be an oppressed racial minority. Cannot. The end. Period. We don’t know because we’re queer, because we’re disabled, because we’re Jewish, because we were the nerdy kid in school. These things may have hurt us severely, but we need to stop playing Oppression Olympics and acknowledge that when we’re talking about race we Do. Not. Know. No more metaphors.
We need to accept that when a person of color tells us we’ve fucked up, the answer is not to get defensive. When we get that instinct to say “geez, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way at all,” it’s time to stop right now. It doesn’t matter how you meant it. It really doesn’t. Someone doesn’t have to have racism in their heart to do something racist. And doing something racist doesn’t make you an evil person who can never do good again, should never be an activist, should run off and hide in a hole somewhere. It means you did something hurtful, you made a big mistake, and you need to own that mistake. You need to say “I’m sorry.” Full stop. I’m sorry. And if the person who called you out is generous enough to take time to explain what you did wrong, you need to have a seat and listen.” —
We need to accept that when a person of color tells us we’ve fucked up, the answer is not to get defensive. When we get that instinct to say “geez, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way at all,” it’s time to stop right now. It doesn’t matter how you meant it. It really doesn’t. Someone doesn’t have to have racism in their heart to do something racist. And doing something racist doesn’t make you an evil person who can never do good again, should never be an activist, should run off and hide in a hole somewhere. It means you did something hurtful, you made a big mistake, and you need to own that mistake. You need to say “I’m sorry.” Full stop. I’m sorry. And if the person who called you out is generous enough to take time to explain what you did wrong, you need to have a seat and listen.” —
White Feminists: It’s Time to Put Up or Shut Up on Race (via waschbar)
This might be the greatest thing I ever read…
(via holyharam)
This is important.
“One woman I spoke to broke down crying when I told her the nearest clinic was ten hours away. I informed her that there was another group who could help arrange travel, and yet another group that existed soley to provide lodgings. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t take that time off work. The call ended with her saying she would find another way. She didn’t mean she would go to a CPC and they would magically help her carry to term (cause they never do, the “help” stops the moment you are too far along for an abortion). She meant she was going to risk her life and her health. She was going to seek out a back-alley abortion, because legislators had systematically taken away all of the clinics she could have gone to in her area a few years ago. I keep hoping this woman calls us back.”
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This is an incredible and important post about abortion funds, restrictive legislation on abortion, and the harsh realities of living in the USA right now.
[NB: more people than just cis women want and need access to abortion care.]
(via keepyourbsoutofmyuterus)
i see them around a lot and i just wanted to remind you all that kate beaton comic parodies actually upset her and she really hates that everyone takes her comics and edits them into other fandoms and stuff, shes talked on her twitter about how its really discouraging and upsetting to her.
it would be really nice to respect her wishes and cool it on the beaton parodies ok?? you can make your own jokes and stuff but editing someone elses comic is kind of rude.
