I see I’m actually behind on this debate: after stopping by Chasing Ray, I learned that Horn Book blog has been discussing this issue for a few days now…as usual, the comments are fascinating, so scroll down and keep reading…
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I also recommend the post at Black-Eyed Susan’s, for a different perspective:
http://blackeyedsusans.blogspot.com/2009/06/confession-tuesday_16.html
I read it and decided to leave it alone; then just watched the news, and went back to leave a reply…I agree with her main point, but worry about hierarchizing pain/issues/problems…there will *always* be someone whose suffering is greater than yours–but does that mean your pain doesn’t count? I worry that others have used that logic to silence dissent–which is labeled “complaint.” That’s not what Susan’s doing, but LGBT people have a right to make demands of the president…watched a *great* film last night on the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military…and I watched Milk last weekend; those issues might not personally affect me, but they’re a matter of life & death for the queer community (of which I count myself an ally). And how many times have black activists been told to “go slow,” or be patient, or put their needs in perspective (i.e. behind someone else’s needs). So pointless griping should stop, I agree. But I worry about who decides what’s petty, pointless, and not a priority…
Zetta,
I hear you and maybe I shouldn’t have jumped from one group to another the way I did. When I referred to the LBGTQ group I was actually taking my cue from someone in the community telling fellow LBGTQ
Zetta,
Maybe I needed a better transition from the first group of complainers to the political issues. For what is is worth, I was taking my cue from Transgriot who was telling LBGTQ, her peers to put things in perspective.
I’m not arguing that we have the right to tell others what they’re priorities should be, I do think from time to time we all need to step back sometimes and re-examine what we are complaining about.
My main point is we all have issues and pains. Some are real, Zetta, and sometimes we’re having a pity party.
And you’re absolutely right, Susan. That Transgriot article sounds like something I need to read…
For anyone else who’s interested, here is it:
http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/06/dag-gay-peeps-stop-tripping-ii.html#idc-container