#dismantling privilege

[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.

[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?

[anarchywoofwoof]

the funny thing is that i don't think younger people - and i mean those under the age of 40 - really have a grasp on how many of today's issues can be tied back to a disastrous reagan policy:

war on drugs: reagan's aggressive escalation of the war on drugs was a catastrophic policy, primarily targeting minority communities and fueling mass incarceration. the crusade against drugs was more about controlling the Black, Latino and Native communities than addressing the actual problems of drug abuse, leading to a legacy of broken families and systemic racism within the criminal justice system.

deregulation and economic policies: reaganomics was an absolute disaster for the working class. reagan's policies of aggressive tax cuts for the rich, deregulation, and slashing social programs were nothing less than class warfare, deepening income inequality and entrenching corporate greed. these types of policies were a clear message that reagan's america was only for the wealthy elite and a loud "fuck you" to working americans.

environmental policies: despite his reputation being whitewashed thanks to the recovery of the ozone layer, reagan's environmental record was an unmitigated disaster. his administration gutted critical environmental protections and institutions like the EPA, turning a blind eye to pollution and corporate exploitation of natural resources. this blatant disregard for the planet was a clear sign of prioritizing short-term corporate profits over the future of the environment.

AIDS crisis: reagan's gross neglect of the aids crisis was nothing short of criminal and this doesn't even begin to touch on his wife's involvement. his administration's indifference to the plight of the lgbtq+ community during this devastating epidemic revealed a deep-seated bigotry and a complete failure of moral leadership.

mental health: reagan's dismantling of mental health institutions under the guise of 'reform' led directly to a surge in homelessness and a lack of support for those with mental health issues. his policies were cruel and inhumane and showed a personality-defining callous disregard for the most vulnerable in society.

labor and unions: reagan's attack on labor unions, exemplified by his handling of the patco strike, was a blatant assault on workers' rights. his actions emboldened corporations to suppress union activities, leading to a significant erosion of workers' power and rights in the workplace. he was colloquially known as "Ronnie the Union Buster Reagan"

foreign policy and military interventions: reagan's foreign policy, particularly in latin america, was imperialist and ruthless. his administration's support for dictatorships and right-wing death squads under the guise of fighting "communism" showed a complete disregard for human rights and self-determination of other nations.

public health: yes, reagan's agricultural policies actually facilitated the rise of high fructose corn syrup, once again prioritizing corporate profits over public health. this shift in the food industry has had lasting negative impacts on health, contributing to the obesity epidemic and other health issues.

privatization: reagan's push for privatization was a systematic dismantling of public services, transferring wealth and power to private corporations and further eroding the public's access to essential services.

education policies: his approach to education was more of an attack on public education than anything else, gutting funding and promoting policies that undermined equal access to quality education. this was, again, part of a broader agenda to maintain a status quo where the privileged remain in power.

this is just what i could come up with in a relatively short time and i did not even live under this man's presidency. the level at which ronald reagan has broken the united states truly can't be overstated.

[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

[trans-androgyne]

There seems to be a lack of understanding around here of the way sexism can affect men. Of course men are the privileged gender under patriarchy, but you only reap all the benefits of hegemonic manhood if you’re seen as doing it the Right Way (being a masculine cishetallo perisex White etc. man). Feminine men experience sexist treatment. Black men demonized for being moc experience sexist treatment. Pregnant trans men painted as objects of disgust experience sexist treatment. Any time manhood is used to say men’s bodies must always look a certain way or that men are inherently more violent, aggressive, predatory, emotionally stunted, hypersexual, and dangerous than other genders, that is sexism and gender essentialism. To dismantle patriarchy, we need an accurate understanding of how it functions. Intersectional feminism includes men.

[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.

[ayaahh00]

If you ever forget how deeply privileged and entitled men are, remember men believe women hating them is as bad as rape, murder, and violence against women. They see women’s hatred as a crime, while dismissing the daily oppression and violence women face by them. They feel entitled to women’s affection, attention, and admiration, no matter how vile they are. They expect to be liked, even when the overwhelming majority of crimes against women are committed by men. This is the core of patriarchy, a system that tells them they deserve everything and is based on their deeply rooted entitlement.

This is how misogyny, the oldest form of oppression, is constantly downplayed and not taken seriously. Every week, we hear stories of brutal crimes against women. Crimes against women are rarely taken seriously unless they escalate into something gruesome and bloody, when a woman loses her life because a man took it from her. And even then, the justice system may still fail to bring her justice. This is why we must dismantle patriarchy completely. Our lives, safety, and dignity will be taken seriously.