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watershoesLook, I am really happy that bandom is getting going again and I am REALLY happy that my friends are happy about their band moving and making music and everything.
BUT. Here is the thing. If one is a member of [historically and/or currently opressed minority] and uses a word or phrase that has commonly, historically and currently been used against [historically and/or currently opressed minority] in order to shame, hurt and control [historically and/or currently opressed minority] based on the appearance, physicality, sexuality, religion, history, etc etc etc etc of [historically and/or currently opressed minority], then that is reclaiming a word or phrase. That is taking the power away from the people who are trying to hurt you.
When someone uses a word or phrase who is NOT part of [historically and/or currently opressed minority]? That is not reclamation. I don't give a shit how much of an 'ally' you say you are or if you're being ironic or if your fans interpret your words as jokes. Don't. Care. You are being a bigoted asshole and I don't want to know you.
I love my MCR flisters, a whole big lot. But I am seeing lots of statements like 'you're being too sensitive!' 'you are over reacting!' 'separate the music from the people making it!' UM NOPE. I can't. I'm glad that you can compartmentalize, but I can't. And this might make me sound like a 'holier than thou' asshole, but I'm trying really hard to walk the walk. I'm trying not to let the things that don't touch me personally slide. I don't want to be an asshole and I don't want to support people who act like assholes.
(oh, btw, I'm not talking about posts on my flist. If you were doing that, I would not have you on my flist! So I guess this is kind of an exercise in futility, keeping this locked.)
BUT. Here is the thing. If one is a member of [historically and/or currently opressed minority] and uses a word or phrase that has commonly, historically and currently been used against [historically and/or currently opressed minority] in order to shame, hurt and control [historically and/or currently opressed minority] based on the appearance, physicality, sexuality, religion, history, etc etc etc etc of [historically and/or currently opressed minority], then that is reclaiming a word or phrase. That is taking the power away from the people who are trying to hurt you.
When someone uses a word or phrase who is NOT part of [historically and/or currently opressed minority]? That is not reclamation. I don't give a shit how much of an 'ally' you say you are or if you're being ironic or if your fans interpret your words as jokes. Don't. Care. You are being a bigoted asshole and I don't want to know you.
I love my MCR flisters, a whole big lot. But I am seeing lots of statements like 'you're being too sensitive!' 'you are over reacting!' 'separate the music from the people making it!' UM NOPE. I can't. I'm glad that you can compartmentalize, but I can't. And this might make me sound like a 'holier than thou' asshole, but I'm trying really hard to walk the walk. I'm trying not to let the things that don't touch me personally slide. I don't want to be an asshole and I don't want to support people who act like assholes.
(oh, btw, I'm not talking about posts on my flist. If you were doing that, I would not have you on my flist! So I guess this is kind of an exercise in futility, keeping this locked.)
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no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 08:43 pm (UTC)I certainly agree with everything you say, however.
I am one of those people that can compartmentalize, though I certainly understand that other people have their own boundaries and tolerance levels and that is totally okay. I've tried not to say or imply any of those things that you quoted to people, and for my friends that I know are bothered by it I don't talk about MCR to them. I really hope that you don't feel like you need to defriend me, since I like you a lot, but if you do then I get it.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 08:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 08:50 pm (UTC)(BTW, I have a new laptop with SKYPE. We should try chatting sometime. ♥)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 09:38 pm (UTC)