#dismantling privilege

[trixxedheart]

It is amazing how the "people that love and uplift transwomen" website will instantly fucking maul a transwoman if she even remotely insinuate that using radfem rhetoric harms trans people

[radsplain]

i became vegan many years before i peaked but let me just tell you that the feeling of coming to terms with the actual reality of animal exploitation in the animal agriculture industry and peaking on trans was a very VERY similar feeling. it was the same gut-dropping realization that everything i thought i knew was a complete lie. it was the feeling of years and years of built up cognitive dissonance crumbling around me.

so when i see radfems on here denouncing veganism outright with the same old tired arguments that i constantly get from “normies” in my day to today life it just bums me out. i understand where they’re coming from, because i used to be them at one point, and i’ve been vegan long enough that i don’t get mad or upset anymore when i see it, but it’s just disappointing more than anything.

[alwaysbewoke]

[jasmancer]

"be nicer to men" the men you are referring to think you're a misandrist if you ask them nicely to take their boot off your neck. the "I can fix him" mindset for cruel and violent men is quite literally a joke. an old one.

[youth-liberation-june]

if you're or were a kid whose parent(s) forced you to go to c****h, don't you/didn't you hate the feeling that the old people members would try to make your parent(s) more authoritarian than they already are?

spread the word.

fuck religious child abuse. fuck authoritative parenting.

fuck adult supremacy.

@freeyouthnow @youth-rights @immortalvipers @bingboop @axolotlofficial @charles-le-sorcerer @that-bisexual @bi-trans-alliance @dragon-in-a-fez @mimeo-tan @sigynsilica @self-loving-vampire @theconcealedweapon @your-dads-filing-cabinet @elhopper1sm @traumasurvivors @sparrow-the-tired-lesbian @witchyykitten @hellischange @teaboot @fnord888 @a-sip-of-milo @punkstylerecovery @neuroticboyfriend @nothorses @tumbler-polls @liberaljane @uncanny-tranny @thedepressedweasel @bakugoawayy @agent-starbuck @cultsurvivorsafe

[hylialeia]

something something I think a huge problem with activism and progressivism these days is that it is less about community and shared experience and positive change, and more about people who just want to be part of an Exclusive Club. like this is the basis of terf ideology and exclusionism in the queer community, at its core.

people have lost sight of the actual goal and instead are just recreating the same societal and systemic problems but this time they get to be in power. they take the focus off the legitimate oppressive systems (white supremacy, patriarchy) and redirect it to other marginalized groups that they 1) see as easier to fight (terfs -> trans people, exclusionists -> "microlabel" sexualities) and 2) view as ~infiltrating~ their club and thus threatening their sense of superiority. and so the progressive movement goes limp and flaccid, stuck in molasses because of groups of people who, instead of seeking to undo the harmful systems that hurt them and others, ignore them in favor of co-opting the rhetoric of those that came before and twisting it to enact petty revenge on easy prey.

[critical-skeptic]

A Response To The Disconnected-Elite Sentimentality

In some dark corners. Huh? 🤦🏽‍♂️ So, not the entire Internet? All social media networks, even those trying to silence any support or pragmatic nuanced take on this case? Okay. 🤣👌

"In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero."

—Gov. J. Shapiro

Governor, your statement reeks of the same tone-deaf, out-of-touch moralistic drivel that has become the hallmark of those insulated by their privilege and power. It’s a tired tactic—vilify the act, dehumanize the actor, and handwave away the glaring systemic issues that led to this moment in the first place. To dismiss Luigi Mangione’s growing support as the ramblings of 'dark corners' is laughable, considering the breadth of public discourse surrounding this case. People from across the political spectrum—left, right, and center—have recognized that Mangione’s actions, however polarizing, stem from a frustration that resonates deeply with the oppressed, the disillusioned, and the rationally minded.

Let’s be clear: this is not about class, race, or partisan politics. This is about assholes versus not. About greed, corruption, and systemic exploitation versus the people who are sick of being crushed underfoot. But rather than address this, your ilk predictably double down on virtue-signaling and rhetoric that seeks to polarize, distract, and dilute the conversation into a convenient binary of ‘good vs. evil.’ It’s no surprise that those in power, regardless of their political or demographic affiliation, are desperate to frame Mangione as a careless, irrational monster and any support for him as fringe lunacy. After all, admitting that his manifesto and actions stem from real, widespread despair would mean admitting culpability—something those in power will never do.

"I want to begin by thanking our fellow Pennsylvania resident who acted as a hero today,' Shapiro said. 'A Pennsylvania resident saw something early this morning at McDonald's and said something to our local police." —CBS News

Your praise for the 'heroes' who alerted police is another glaring example of the disconnect. It’s not heroism to support a system that perpetuates untold suffering, rewards greed, and ignores peaceful protest. It’s compliance. And while I’m not advocating violence, I also won’t feign sympathy when that system suffers the consequences of its own inaction, exploitation, and refusal to self-correct. The reality is, this moment—a CEO gunned down, the manifesto heard round the world, and the fractured reactions—is a mirror held up to society. And what it reflects isn’t some rogue villain’s chaos, but the logical outcome of systemic rot.

Billionaires, or rather the system that allows for their existence, are the root of this decay. A system where wealth and privilege insulate people like you and your corporate overlords from the lived realities of those crushed under medical debt, denied basic care, or treated as collateral damage in the relentless pursuit of profit. Instead of dismantling and rebuilding this house of cards, you secure it with the blood of the oppressed and the rhetoric of moral superiority. The same rhetoric you use now to delegitimize Mangione’s supporters, sidestepping the ugly truths he exposed.

And let’s give Mangione credit where it’s due. His manifesto is not the ramblings of a madman—it’s a sobering, incisive critique of a system that, by design, fails everyone except the elites. His social media posts—his voice—echo the frustrations of millions. You can call his actions extreme, but when peaceful protests are ignored, when voices of dissent are silenced or co-opted, and when systemic violence continues unabated, extremism begins to look like the only language the powerful understand. Rational minds can see this—not as a call to arms but as a brutal indictment of a system too broken to heal itself.

"Let’s be mindful not to dehumanize [the former CEO] and make him just an avatar of a system that is disliked by many."

So no, this isn’t about ‘dark corners.’ or about dehumanizing anyone. It’s about millions who are fed up. And if you and your ilk continue to turn every act of resistance into a simplistic morality tale to protect the status quo, you’ll only accelerate the very upheaval you fear. Because this isn’t about one man, one manifesto, or one act of defiance. It’s about a system eating itself alive and people refusing to go down with it.

If that scares you, elites, good. It should. 🖕😏🖕

[vizthedatum]

And once again… white men

[inazuma-fulgur]

Why do 99% of leftists seem to have never questioned their ideas around ownership?

Which is one of the most basic ideas to challenge and still I see almost everyone spread capitalist rhetoric and propaganda, including high profile/educated people

[hathorik]

"Do y’all want me to starve??"

YES. YES, MIETTE. MOTHER WANTS YOU TO STARVE.

I’VE BEEN FUNCTIONING ON AN AVERAGE OF ONE MEAL/DAY FOR YEARS. SOMETIMES LESS. BECAUSE EVEN WITH A 9-5 CORPORATE JOB, AT MINIMUM WAGE THAT’S ALL I COULD AFFORD.

AND EVEN I DON’T PRETEND TO COMPARE WITH WHAT GAZANS ARE FACING. I KNOW WHAT HUNGER — REAL HUNGER NOT "tummy grugly 😩" — IS. THEY KNOW WHAT TIER-5 "WASTING" STARVATION IS. THEY KNOW WHAT DEATH BECAUSE NO FOOD IS AS THE IOF PURPOSEFULLY DESTROYS FOOD STOCKPILES THEY FIND.

SO YES, MIETTE. IF THE WHIM OF YOUR TUMMY IS ALL IT TAKES FOR YOUR EMPATHY TO SHRINK INTO NOTHING, I WANT YOU TO STARVE. BECAUSE YOUR MORALS ARE ALREADY ATROPHIED BEYOND REPAIR, SO WHY SHOULDN’T THE REST MATCH?

[bitegore]

every time i read something written by julia serrano im struck again by how genuinely useless and stupid most Tumblr TM theory discussions are. Has literally anyone else on this website read any of her articles.

[celtalks]

The Unseen Hustle: Sikander Kher Dismantles Bollywood Privilege Myths, Embraces the Path of Perseverance

Sikander Kher's Candid Confession: Talks Privilege and Perseverance in Bollywood

The starry allure of Bollywood often belies the gritty reality of persistence that even the most established actors endure. In a recent heart-to-heart, Sikander Kher, son of veterans Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher, opened up about his career and the perils of taking his privilege for granted. Kher revealed that he stopped actively searching for roles, an approach that starkly contrasts with seasoned actors like his father, Anupam, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff, who continue to hustle for work. The Narrative of Nepotism In an industry scrutinized for nepotism, Sikander's acknowledgment uncovers an infrequent perspective: a privilege perhaps less of an edge and more of a cushion, one that can lead to career complacency. Fortunately for Sikander, the self-awareness illuminated a critical truth - consistent effort reigns supreme, regardless of one's lineage. Learning from the Legends Kher's realization embodies the age-old adage, "success is a journey, not a destination." Emulating the work ethic of icons Anupam Kher, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff – who remain relentless in their quest for roles despite their legacy – shifted Sikander's outlook. They serve as beacons of dedication, with Anil Kapoor grappling for meatier roles post a successful Netflix series, and Jackie Shroff maintaining his zest for work post his significant Bollywood innings. Not a Simple Road This sentiment strips away the facade that privileges equates to an assured cinematic journey. As Sikander imparted, even after an admirable stint in an acclaimed web series, the struggle to bag substantial roles persists. This underscores a reality check that lineage does not guarantee success; rather, consistent hard work and continual self-improvement carry the day. Charting a New Course Encapsulated by his newfound realization, Sikander Kher is charting a novel trajectory. This pivot is indicative of a larger trend within Bollywood, where industry insiders stress the importance of persistence and performance over pedigree. In closing, Sikander Kher's confession emits a duality — a reflection of his privileges and the tribulations that embody the acting profession. As the drama of Bollywood unfolds both on and off the screen, stories like Kher's spotlight the unseen struggles that go behind the glamor and underscore a message for all: in the grand tapestry of cinema, sustained diligence, and passion still hold the power to script one's destiny. Read the full article

[nunyabznsbabes]

Katniss is like Lucy Gray this, Katniss is like Sejanus that, and yes fine that's all good and true and lovely but Katniss Everdeen is also a direct parallel to Coriolanus Snow and people NEED to start talking about this because it's driving me crazy.

Think about it: they both grew up poor and deeply vulnerable, losing parents at a very young age, with a matriarchal adult (Katniss' mother and Coriolanus' Grandma'am) who fails to provide for them emotionally and physically. They intimately understand the threat of starvation, even developing with stunted growth because of it, and their narrations in the books share a fixation on food. Throughout their childhoods, both experienced constant fear and suffered a fundamental lack of control over their circumstances. Because of this, they're inherently suspicious of the people around them. They resent feeling indebted to others, especially those who have saved their lives. They're motivated almost entirely by family and deeply connected to their communities. Both are used and manipulated by the Capitol, both are forced to perform to survive and despise every inch of it, both are thrown into the Arena and made to kill. Both have a self-sacrificial, genuinely sweet sister figure acting as their conscience. Peeta and Lucy Gray - performers and love interests with a fundamental kindness and sense of hope about them - fulfill markedly similar roles in their narrative. Both contribute to the development of the future Hunger Games, Snow throughout tbosas and Katniss towards the end of Mockingjay.

It's easy to ignore these similarities because, as mirrors of each other, they are exact opposites. Katniss is from District 12, viewed and treated as less than human; Snow is the cream of the Capitol crop, given the privilege of a name with social weight, an ancestral home, and the opportunity of the Academy despite having no more money than a miner from 12. Katniss has no agency over her life, and responds by being kind whenever she's able, while Snow justifies horrendous evils in order to continue his quest for complete control. Katniss does everything she can to protect her family; Snow does everything he can to protect his family's image as an extension of his own ego. Katniss loves her District and connects with its inhabitants on a meaningful level, but Snow is indifferent at best to his peers - the apparent "superior people" - and only engages with his community for personal gain. Katniss emerges from the Arena horrified at herself and the system, but Snow takes his trauma and turns it into an excuse to perpetuate the violence with himself at the top. Katniss cares for Prim until her death and then snaps at the loss of her little sister, while Snow survives on Tigris' blood, sweat, and tears and then torments and abandons her, presumably because she calls him out on his insanity. Snow actively adds to and popularizes the Hunger Games because of his vendetta against the Districts following his childhood wartime trauma - Katniss briefly agrees to a new Hunger Games in the pursuit of vengeance, but later stops them from happening by killing Coin and choosing a life of peace and privacy. Snow is obsessed with revenge, but Katniss empathizes with the Capitolites and does what she can to keep them from suffering. He exists in a cruel system and selfishly upholds it; she exists in a cruel system and works to dismantle it for the good of her family and community, at great personal cost. And Peeta and Lucy Gray are incredibly similar, but Katniss and Peeta forge a relationship of genuine love and understanding that shines in comparison to Coriolanus' obsessive projection onto Lucy Gray.

So, yeah, Katniss is Lucy Gray haunting Coriolanus. But I bet you anything that eighty-something year old President Snow looks at her, the girl on fire, bright and young and brilliant, emerging from a childhood of starvation with a relentless hunger for success, a talented and charming performer helping her win the Games, and he sees the ghost of his own past. And that's why he's so afraid of her! Because if he sees himself in her, then he's up against his own cunning, his own talent for manipulation, his own charisma, his own genius. He's up against the version of himself that he once wished to be, with the nightmare army of his childhood at her back and her star-crossed lover at her side, spewing Sejanus' truths in his own voice. This isn't to say that Katniss ever achieved the level of power and agency that Coriolanus did during her time with the rebellion, but it is to say that Snow was taken down by what truly terrified him - his own morality, come to finish the job.

[anarchistgumball]

when an oppressor experiences negative effects of their own oppression, i dont think the answer should be that we actually need to fight for them specifically and make their lives better. maybe if we dealt with the root issue and helped the oppressed, maybe, just maybe, they also wouldnt experience those consequences

[psychotrenny]

I wish people would stop moralising social relations on an individual level. The ways you've benefited from a system of oppression does not make you individually a "bad person"; it's just a material fact of reality. If morality has any place it's how you choose to deal with that, whether to fight against the system alongside those oppressed or to support it either actively or passively. There's no point getting defensive about whatever "privileges" you might have, and there's certainly no point bringing up the other systems that you're oppressed by as if that somehow cancels it all out

This is especially important when it comes to Imperialism because that's both the primary contradiction of our times and the system of oppression that Liberals are most reluctant to even acknowledge. To put it simply; you could be the most marginalised person ever in the Imperial Core but the mere fact that you are living in an Imperial Core country puts you in a materially better position than someone in a comparable situation who is living outside it. And on a systemic level whatever advantages you enjoy by living in the Imperial Core have come at the expense of those living beyond it. That's not to say your oppression isn't a problem or that you have no right to fight against it or whatever. You can resist the systems that oppression yourself without strengthening the systems that oppress others, and indeed principled solidarity between liberation movements is the only real way to achieve any substantial social change.

Liberal Assimilationism is a dead end politically; the only way to secure liberation for all is to oppose Imperial Capitalism and all the forms of oppression it creates or strengthens. You won't get far if all you want is to give your group a bigger share of Imperial Loot, raising your position in the hierarchy instead of dismantling it altogether. Best case any gains you secure for your group will limited and precarious, but it's more likely that you'll be exploited to undermine other liberation struggles and then discarded the second you're no longer useful. Solidarity isn't just morally right; it's the only strategy that works

And to truly achieve this solidarity you need to understand the social relations of the present, and by extension your personal place within them. This sort of reflection might not always be flattering, might not always make you feel good about yourself, but that's not the point now is it? The point is to build a better future, not a larger ego

[scottguy]

That really is a powerful example of patriarchy and white male privilege.

Smash the patriarchy.