As a trans white woman, tbh I remember when the discussion was that privileged people should be amplifying minority voices and talking points, and at least on the axes I’m oppressed along I stand by that position. A lot of people are unwilling to listen to me about my humanity, but they are a hell of a lot more likely to listen to my cis relatives.
Also those discussions can be exhausting for the affected and having the non affected doing 101 level talks with each other spares me them.
Fellow white transfem here, I definitely agree that there’s a time and place for unaffected people to advocate for a minority.
That said, if I’m being charitable to OP, there are absolutely times when minorities get talked over in ways that really suck.
I once attended a listening circle/support group that came together as a piece of transphobic legislation was likely to pass in my state. I went, expecting a good mix of trans folks and allies, and that we’d be coming together to vent our frustrations and figure out a way forward.
But what I got instead was a room full of mostly cis people, talking over the trans people in the room, and being all sad and morose, like the bill in question was already a foregone conclusion. Like the trans people in the room were a lost cause to mourn, rather than worth helping.
And that… Sucked! That bill didn’t pass, but it wasn’t because any of the cis people in that room did anything to help.
That’s fair, and yeah I’ve definitely had those interactions as well, plenty of times even.
I think there isn’t a black and white (no pun intended) rule when it comes to standing up for someone else.
There are situations where it’s appropriate and situations it’s not.
And it’s hard to say across the board to keep your mouth shut if you are white and see another group being discriminated against. Or to always interject yourself.
I’m a woman and I think of the times I’ve been in a situation where I really would have appreciated a man stepping in so that I didn’t have to be the one woman calling out something so blatantly misogynist.
Because then I’m seen as the bad person. The snowflake.
But other times, I think . Men need to shut up about what they think women need or want about our reproductive health because they don’t know anything. But I sure would like it if they supported what we said.
My general rule is. I back people up if they say something about an injustice and show I support them.
But if I see blatant discrimination and injustices being enacted on someone, I will call it out.
And try my best not to draw attention to the person being discriminated against and make them feel embarrassed.
As long as you don’t “correct” or act like you know better that minorities, you will be a good Ally.
Don’t say “I will help you!”, instead ask “how can i help you?”
It’s funny because I’m constantly seeing minority groups telling white people not to ask how to help and to just figure it out and help or get out of the way.
It’s kinda frustrating hearing so many different takes on white people trying to help because it feels like a large portion don’t want us to help at all
The thing is, to us, what you can do to help is so obvious that it feels like we’re being asked how to breathe.
Help your community, volunteer for a cause, don’t get involved in acts of hatred disguised as moralism or the defense of a national or ethnic identity, educate yourself by reading authors who are part of the minority you want to support, confront and accept the reality of privilege, etc.
But also, often the question “How can I help?” masks the real question: “How can I be a hero to your people?”. So I suppose that before one ask how to help, one should first ask oneself “Do I really want to help?” and be honest about it.
What if the minorities are wrong?
That’s the question from which fucked up shit start to happen, but let’s take it at face value.
In that case, you can look for a segment of the minority group that aligns with your ideals (because not all of us think the same way, we’re not a collective mind) and offer them your support.
Do you encounter, say, Latinos who support Trump? Leave them alone and offer support to Latinos who are critical of Trump; We’ll know how to use your help to take actions that benefit all of us, including those who are “wrong.”
Impossible. People like Jesse Lee Peterson don’t exist.
i think some people are missing the point in that its making fun of the people that do this for the vanity instead of actually caring
Correct
So, back in real life. At a protest? Yes, it’s valuable for white people to speak up, since they’re more difficult for police to persecute. Sorry you’re too uninformed and naice to realize this, so wise OP.
💋
Imagine thinking that only minorities can stand up for minority rights. What’s your suggestion then, that White people have no business doing anything but maintaining the status quo, because it’s not their place to speak out for others?
Imagine
Modern White savior complex.
and it’s usually all wrong!
