The amount of acrimony in serious, non-porn online trans culture can be dreadfully depressing. I am tempted to give up on the discourse and just do my own thing alone. I don't think arguing in a political or theoretical debate is a good way of developing one's transness. I don't think taking up a fixed position and then enjoying attacking others from that position is a good thing to do in any context. To me, people who do so seem similar to each other, even when they are arguing against each other.
Sadly, tragically, human beings tend to be bad at helping each other in a broad way, preferring to form groups in opposition to each other.
What do I believe in?
1) open-mindedness
2) kindness
And to all good-natured, undogmatic trans people I would like to say 'yes, yes; me too, me too'.
xxx
I don't think taking up a fixed position and then enjoying attacking others from that position is a good thing to do in any context.
ReplyDeleteMy own "position" is based on something Patrick Califia once wrote: The best we can do is speak our own truth, make it safe for others to speak theirs, and respect our differences. Thus I write from a personal perspective, and if I use the word "we", it's an opt-in "we" – it only includes the reader if they say/think it does.
On the other hand, if someone else's "truth" necessitates them applying that truth to everyone else (i.e. "I believe this about me, therefore it is also correct about you"), I'll generally take a very strong position against that, amounting to "back off with that shit" – which, I must admit, isn't usually very effective. I guess I should try and be more kind about it :)
Thanks J! Yours is definitely a thoughtful voice. xx
ReplyDelete