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You know what deserves unpacking?
The dark skinned folks whose response was "We're not a charity case/tokens/woke trophies".
I think most of it was just people actively misinterpreting something to create space for them to oppose it - but I also think there's more...[1]
The dark skinned folks whose response was "We're not a charity case/tokens/woke trophies".
I think most of it was just people actively misinterpreting something to create space for them to oppose it - but I also think there's more...[1]
The phenomena of marginalised ppl reacting with offense or disdain when their marginalisation is flagged is actually pretty common & it's worth exploring why.
We constantly see it with black ppl who view things like the preferential procurement aspect of BBBEE as insulting...[2]
We constantly see it with black ppl who view things like the preferential procurement aspect of BBBEE as insulting...[2]
Moreover, those ppl don't just view affirmative action (which, flags injustices against them) as insulting, they often believe that their view is a result of them having more self-respect & autonomy than the rest of the collective.
That "well EYE don't need handouts" vibe ...[3]
That "well EYE don't need handouts" vibe ...[3]
You can find people who subscribe to that kind of thinking in every margainalised group; women, people of colour, people with disabilities, dark-skinned people, queer people, immigrants etc.
So, why do ppl do that?
Personally, I think it comes down to one of two things...[4]
So, why do ppl do that?
Personally, I think it comes down to one of two things...[4]
A. The margainalised person feels that whoever is flagging the injustice is performing benevolence either out of pity or the flagger's need to absolve themself of the guilt they experience as a result of benefitting from the very oppression they're flagging...[5]
http://E.gs of A:
- thinking B*yonce's Brown Skin Girl is a little sus. The Song isn't just a love letter to her daughter, It's an anthem celebrating dark women - by a light singer who has enjoyed more privilege than her equally talented, darker former bandmate [5.1]
- thinking B*yonce's Brown Skin Girl is a little sus. The Song isn't just a love letter to her daughter, It's an anthem celebrating dark women - by a light singer who has enjoyed more privilege than her equally talented, darker former bandmate [5.1]
- Not trusting white humanitarian workers because they are direct beneficiaries of the very same structures & historical processes that created the conundrums faced by the people of colour the humanitarians want to help. Also, b/c it's likely just a white saviour complex [5.2]
B. Dissociation caused by shame.
Sometimes lived experience can traumatize ppl to the point where even a generalised critique of the injustice (which requires a triggering degree of acknowledgement) may feel as disempowering as the injustice itself.... [6]
Sometimes lived experience can traumatize ppl to the point where even a generalised critique of the injustice (which requires a triggering degree of acknowledgement) may feel as disempowering as the injustice itself.... [6]
Maybe you grew up in a super colourist environment where your lighter siblings, classmates, peers received more affection/protection/acceptance
After seeing some1 flag hue-curated friendships, subconscious shame may make you project & lash out -"I don't NEED their approval
[6.2]
After seeing some1 flag hue-curated friendships, subconscious shame may make you project & lash out -"I don't NEED their approval
[6.2]
So yeah, some ppl are loud & wrong for the sake of it - but, sometimes folks receive information in strange ways b/c their lived experience has complicated things.
I guess I made this thread to try afford dark skinned women something we don't get enough of: compassion.
FIN!
I guess I made this thread to try afford dark skinned women something we don't get enough of: compassion.
FIN!
