Reading so many tweets/posts, Americans say how they ‘won’t forgive’ those who voted for Dump. And I’m sympathetic deeply, but you’d think those neighbours who up and voted for him were suddenly doing something new. If your family/friends voted for him, you probably knew they were racist beforehand. You might have suspected, at least. When we think of the American ‘rust belt’ and the south, we know there is a legendary balloon surrounding it, they’ve long voted ‘right’ and have a history (and present) of racist values. How was it such a surprise for them to vote the way they did?
It’s awful now because we know what it means, those of us outside of that bubble. We see a bigger picture, perhaps. I don’t know. What if black people had gone on about not forgiving whites post-slavery, post-Jim Crow, if they announced it following all the police murders – and while it might be completely justified – what would the response be? How would that change the US (if not the world)? Can we keep breeding all forms of fear and expect to exist in democratic unions?
Relentless direct action against those who are benefiting from this insane rift should be where the conversation is right now. Holding the media accountable. Holding representatives accountable. Working together, not turning into what ‘they’ are, might be the hardest line to hold, but we have to. We have to hold that line.
Good people who will make you laugh when you’re down, who will stand up for and defend what is right, spread love and hope and awareness. Good people who teach without preaching. Good people who donate what is needed. Good people who volunteer where they are needed. Good people who make music or write or tell stories. Good people who paint and sculpt and draw so that we can see. Good people who make films and television programmes and radio programmes and video games that entertain and inform us.
Good people who Science.
Good people who speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Good people who look after their family and friends and neighbours. Good people who write postcards and letters. Good people who don’t care if you spelled something wrong. Good people who wish you well and mean it. Good people who offer your their seat. Good people who care about what they make. Good people who know that being good means you can make mistakes. Good people who won’t judge you. Good people who know you are more than how you look.
so it looks like the safety pin thing has been co-opted by white supremacists. we need other, better ways to show solidarity anyway. wear an “i’ll go with you” pin, if you want that badly to wear a pin, or better yet, stand up for marginalized folks when you see them being harassed (online and irl). join an organization, volunteer your time, donate money, join a protest, if you’re able. wear a “black lives matter” or a “not my president” t shirt. there are so many ways to show solidarity and we need to get started now.
What an opportunity to mess with them.
Let’s announce that we’re officially changing the symbol to a ‘I sucked Putin’s dick’ t-shirt.
Let them co-opt that. Would love to see it.
And keep changing it every month, keep coming up with something even more fun.
I double dog dare you, Tumblr, to leave some kind of comment on every story you read on AO3 this November.
You don’t have to compose a sonnet, or make offers of marriage, but I challenge you to take the minute of your time required to type one sentence of feedback into the comment field after you’ve read any story you didn’t completely hate, and tell the author something about what your experience of reading their work was. Two or three words is all it takes, if you’re feeling shy – “I liked this” or “This was good”
Something to let the author know that you recognize their efforts, that you are at least on some level aware that they entertained you, or at least kept you occupied for a little while, and that these comments are the only pay you’re ever going to be asked to give up for it. The only pay these authors are going to get. Recognition. From you.
When you think about how many hours of entertainment you get from reading fanfic every week, it’s not so much to pay, really.
So click the comment button. Use your words. Give a fan writer some encouragement to keep doing what they do.
I dare you.
Remember, remember, our Comment November…
Gotta do this! My bookmarked for later pile is so intimidating >.
Feed a fanfic writer (or vidder or graphic creator) with kindness.
Especially now. What they do is more important than you might think.
Fan fiction has always been a radical rewriting of a canon text. Queering up the heteronormative. Breaking up and diversifying the white narrative. It’s punk rock. It’s rebellion. It is also community.
Read it, share it, praise it, pass it on. We need these writers/artists more than ever.
An identifying marker like that is not symbolic. An identifying marker like that is to say to people who are regularly in REAL danger “I am safe. I will help you.”
This is not a small thing you are undertaking. If you pin one on yourself, and a guy is harassing me in a bathroom, I am going to turn to you for back up. Please get yourself in a mental place for that possibility, this is not an abstract mark of solidarity. If you can’t do that, that’s ok, but then don’t wear the pin because I’ll suddenly be turning to someone who can’t help me.
If you have never been in physical danger for living your life, understand that a lot of people have been. Get your head around the reality that they are now going to expect you to step up, they’ll be relying on you as a safety net. You are now in danger by association. That is brave and beautiful and I hope what you intend. Don’t mistake this thing for a symbol, it is not. It is a weapon you have drawn against the status quo.
I have a scar on the back of my head from ten stitches and general weather ache in my ribs and lower back because I’m queer and trans and I’ve been beaten for that. If you want to stand in solidarity with me and mine….know what you are getting in to. Be mentally prepared for that.
Please, yes, pass this on.
And there’s no shame in not being able to wear a pin. There are other ways to help and support.
Remember your phones. Use them to help document anything you witness.
The Doctor Is Out 