However, while I'm pretty sure you meant this in the context of calling out a friend, I'm very uncomfortable with the statement that anyone has to call someone out. Sometimes people who would otherwise call someone else out have to shut up and take it, because if they don't, they lose the job that ensures they eat regularly, or they open themselves to violence... Or even in the context of calling out a friend, there are times when it's just not a good idea.
For instance, as much as I try to speak up when I see a problem, if I've spent the past few days fighting off suicidal depression or overwhelming anxiety, I'm not going to be in any state to call someone on their privilege. While I've called some people out and had it go really well, I've also had things go wrong enough that I can't count on people being awesome and understanding and not pushing me into a really dangerous place, as far as my mental state goes.
I'll agree that calling people out is incredibly important, and more people should do it, but no one should feel like they have to be a crusading activist at the expense of their physical or emotional well-being. People feeling guilty for not setting themselves up as martyrs strikes me as a bad thing, especially when the people in question are members of marginalized groups. I mean, if we're talking about white, heterosexual, cis, able-bodied, neurotypical people, then maybe I'd be willing to be a bit harsher on the, "No, really, you have to call people out" thing, because privilege smooths the way there, but things really aren't always so cut and dried.
Am I making any kind of sense at all?
Also, I really frelling hate the term 'PC police', if it wasn't obvious from the way that title was worded... I've been accused of trying to be the PC police so damn many times that I've given up arguing against it.
ETA: Okay, that focused more on the negative than I really liked. I'm really happy that you agree, and more links are always a good thing. And I kind of want the world you grow up in to not suck, as well. ♥ I just had one issue there that really bugs me, but this is not an attempt to jump all over the Ai.
no subject
However, while I'm pretty sure you meant this in the context of calling out a friend, I'm very uncomfortable with the statement that anyone has to call someone out. Sometimes people who would otherwise call someone else out have to shut up and take it, because if they don't, they lose the job that ensures they eat regularly, or they open themselves to violence... Or even in the context of calling out a friend, there are times when it's just not a good idea.
For instance, as much as I try to speak up when I see a problem, if I've spent the past few days fighting off suicidal depression or overwhelming anxiety, I'm not going to be in any state to call someone on their privilege. While I've called some people out and had it go really well, I've also had things go wrong enough that I can't count on people being awesome and understanding and not pushing me into a really dangerous place, as far as my mental state goes.
I'll agree that calling people out is incredibly important, and more people should do it, but no one should feel like they have to be a crusading activist at the expense of their physical or emotional well-being. People feeling guilty for not setting themselves up as martyrs strikes me as a bad thing, especially when the people in question are members of marginalized groups. I mean, if we're talking about white, heterosexual, cis, able-bodied, neurotypical people, then maybe I'd be willing to be a bit harsher on the, "No, really, you have to call people out" thing, because privilege smooths the way there, but things really aren't always so cut and dried.
Am I making any kind of sense at all?
Also, I really frelling hate the term 'PC police', if it wasn't obvious from the way that title was worded... I've been accused of trying to be the PC police so damn many times that I've given up arguing against it.
ETA: Okay, that focused more on the negative than I really liked. I'm really happy that you agree, and more links are always a good thing. And I kind of want the world you grow up in to not suck, as well. ♥ I just had one issue there that really bugs me, but this is not an attempt to jump all over the Ai.
♥?