O.M.F.G.

[splash_the_cat]

I am beyond appalled at the epic and escalating levels of fail coming out of the latest round of debates on writing, racism, Othering and cultural appropriation. rydra-wong has roundups here, here, here, here, here, and hereHere's the thing, fellow white people. It's simple. Don't be an asshole. And if you decide you need to be as asshole, own it.

Comments

[dsudis]

a) Word.

b) Granted that I have read very little of the current round of very-enthusiastic-discussion, I have to say: what I did read, early on, I read in the evening of the day I had spent at my workplace's diversity workshop, and let me just say, with all our faults we have the polite outside world beat hands down for thoughtfulness and nuance in discussions of sexism, racism, the Other, ourselves, all of it. So that was... strangely heartening.

I mean, mind you, then I stopped reading. *g*

[splash_the_cat]

Sadly, it went downhill fast, and many of the comments that have happened since would have been right at home in the outside world comment section of any random newspaper article on related issues. Bad, bad shit.

[spacejaggy]

Thanks for the round-up links. This has been a wake-up call for me. I add a lot of folks because of a couple posts or because they write cool books I've read, but I think tonight I'm going to reexamine who I still have respect for. I didn't realize how freaking passionate some folks were about being complete hypocritical assholes. It's very surprising and is kind of tipping my world upside-down because I guess I'm just that naive. I expected better.

On the plus side, I've discovered great stuff I never knew existed in the journals of the sensible people. So there's that. I guess I just looked in the wrong place before.

[splash_the_cat]

No problem. rydra-wong is a fabulous resource for collecting these conversations.

And yeah, I expected better of a number of people involved, too. *sigh*

[holdouttrout]

Yep. I thought the first round was really interesting, and a good dialog, and some really interesting posts landed on my flist from it. And then people got defensive.

[splash_the_cat]

The escalation of defensiveness was astounding.

[abyssinia4077]

I think my favorite part is where the people of color need the white person to give them permission and show them how to do something to speak out against racism.

And where the people of color just aren't smart enough or properly trained in literary criticism to be allowed to have opinions.

Or just...SO MUCH FAIL OMG

[ultranos_fic]

I still say we've identified the Admirals of the Failboat Armada. (So needs to be an icon)

Yeah, that...ARGH. WORDS FAIL ME.

[abyssinia4077]

(so does need an icon)

(OY)

I still guarantee that most of the Poc involved in this discussion have WAY more literary criticism training/ability than I do and I still thing they are predominately right in this and...oh, gee, maybe that's because I'm stupid? Oy vey. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore.

the words, they are failing.

[splash_the_cat]

Admirals of the Failboat Armada.

That is win.

[beanpot]

Don't be an asshole is a good phrase for just about anything. And when you realize you're being an asshole, or it's pointed out to you, then apologize. And freaking figure out how to change it.

Most people will accept said apology graciously. If they don't...then they are an asshole and thus the cycle of WTFer continues.

Sometimes I feel the need to yank out the "Everything I learned in Life, I learned in Kindergarten" poster..

[splash_the_cat]

And when you realize you're being an asshole, or it's pointed out to you, then apologize. And freaking figure out how to change it.

Amazing how hard that is for so many people.