 |
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) sinboy | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When Allies Fail Part IWhen Allies Fail Part IIthis section of part II has been getting some debate: First, marginalized people are the owners of the anti-racist and feminist/womanist movements. The outcomes of the movement are about our humanity, our treatment, our futures, our children. Our fight is based not on empathy, but lived reality. Yes, racism and sexism ultimately effect everyone, no matter their race or gender. But, for instance, women involved in the feminist movement feel the urgency for change much more strongly than our male allies. We are more invested, I think. I say this not as a slight against men. It is the rare human being who is not most invested in things that effect them directly.
Second, marginalized people, like POC, have historically been oppressed. As a result, we adapt to living in a society that does not treat us as equals and sees us as “other.” We try to conform. We code switch. We hide our culture. We change our physicality to match that of the majority culture. We hold our tongues in the face of the everyday dull aches of racism. We do this every day, both consciously and unconsciously.
It does not seem right, then, that historically oppressed people, while working within our own safe spaces in movements for our own liberation, have some responsibility to the feelings of privileged people–the historic oppressors–even those who call themselves allies. Haven’t we earned a permanent high ground through centuries of mistreatment? Surely we don’t have to make gentle our words, hide our anger, wear the mask (TM Paul Laurence Dunbar) even while fighting for our own equality. Do feminists have a responsibility for maintaining relationships with men? Do anti-racist people of color have a responsibility for maintaining relationships for white people?
If we want them as allies…yes.
We have a responsibility to treat our allies with respect and humanity. It is the same responsibility that every person has to another. This notion of human regard is the very foundation of equality movements. We cannot demand justice while mirroring injustice. We definitely should not feel a need to “wear the mask” in our own safe spaces in order to make privileged people more comfortable. But we can act with compassion. When we do not, we fail at maintaining alliances. And allied relationships are too important to lose.I think there's a reasonable line in acting with compassion when someone is clueless and in recognizing that there are limits to where my compassion ends that might not be where other people's do, and not getting upset at those others for having limits that might be shorter than mine are. I'm a bit concerned about this part: Don’t be a bully. Marginalized people have a right to our anger and disgust at injustice. We do not have a right to browbeat our supposed allies. Alliances need to be based on mutual respect to work effectively. An environment where the “in group” is always angry and right and the “out group” is always prostrate, sorry, cowering and wallowing in guilt is unhealthy and unproductive in achieving the goals of equality work.in that it doesn't give a concrete answer as to what bullying looks like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shunn | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't you hate it when some company sends you something you didn't ask for, out of the blue, and tells you that if you don't package it up and send it back, you'll have to pay for it? And if you don't send it back, they'll keep on sending you things you didn't ask for, and making you pay for them? If this isn't extortion, it's at least a shabby relative with ring-around-the-white-collar. Yesterday's extortionist was Discover Magazine, which sent me the first disc in its new "Discover Magazine Ultimate DVD Library" (featuring a couple of repurposed science programs from public television). The DVD came in a big plastic case that I was instructed to discard if I decided to return the DVD in the enclosed Netflix-like paper envelope. So it's blackmail and environmental irresponsibility—from a science magazine that should know better. Boo! Hiss! A big middle finger! Tags: commerce, magazines, scams
Current Location: Chicago, IL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) newyorkers
sssocialservice | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Soraya not me
Her info is on the bottom of this posting
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
I have an available room in my incredible 3-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. I am moving to Cyprus for a year (perhaps longer) and the room I’m renting is my own. Flexible move-in, sometime in January. Please forward. Here are the specs:
--Huge room (15’ x 12’) in the topmost tower of a 1910 black Victorian
mansion in the heart of Ditmas Park, just southeast of Park Slope
-- The room has 5 large windows (yes, FIVE) and 2 large closets (yes,
TWO) and a gorgeous willow tree just outside the windows
-- Room can be furnished or unfurnished
The apartment:
-- A large living room and kitchen, fully stocked with pots and pans
and nifty gadgets. The kitchen was renovated last February.
-- 2 bathrooms, complete with marble baths and stained glass windows
-- An excessive amount of shared storage space
-- A reading nook with window benches at the end of a long hallway -
good for studying or lounging
-- A porch and lots and lots of yard space
The apartment itself is 3 blocks from the Newkirk Avenue stop on the
Q/B line and walking distance to the F at 18th Ave. It’s a great
neighborhood, safe and friendly, and you can bike to Prospect Park in
less than 5 minutes. We have a porch and large yard, great for
warm-weather entertaining. The landlord and his family are very
attentive and live the next block down. Tons of grocery stores,
pharmacies, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. and a 4 block walk
from the very cool Cortelyou Road.
The apartment will be shared with the lovely Corrie and Colin, two
artists/teachers/students in their mid-20s who are very easy-going and
respectful. The best part? The rent is unbelievably only $675 per
month and includes utilities. I am looking for somebody to sublease
for a year.
Get in touch if you or someone you know is interested,
Thanks,
Soraya Field Fiorio
917 279 2720
Soraya.field@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
status | |
|
|
|
|
 |
Our notification system is back online and working properly, although it may take up to 24 hours to clear the backlog created during time it was down. Thank you for your patience and support! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous