What kind of space am I making here?

[sqbr]

Any time I come across an imbroglio/wank etc on the internet part of my reaction is to think "Could that be me?"(*). Since I tend to run a mile from conflict (if someone criticises me I tend to either apologise or "agree to disagree") a lot of the time the answer is "Maybe to begin with, but it wouldn't spiral out of control like that".

But something I am in danger of doing is staying silent when I should confront people, and by my silence implicitly supporting their actions. I've been thinking about the latest explosion with this whole Elizabeth Bear thing and comparing what she did to what I might do in such a situation (I don't have such a large friendslist, and I don't think anyone has ever posted anything critical about me that my friends might takes offense at, so I can't say for sure) But I have a headache and I'm not really up to it.

Luckily On safe space and responsibility is a post which says a lot of what I wanted to, so I shall link to it instead :)

I do mean to have a serious ponder about the downsides and of being "nice" and how responsible I am for the consequences of my own non-confrontationality especially as the moderator of the comments on this lj, but not today, I think. And now for a change, saying what I actually think was the last time I tried pondering it.

(*)though the post ven ve voke up, ve had zese wodies makes the very good point that it's pretty insulting to people being racially attacked to see this educational effect as the primary effect of racism imbroglios without acknowledging the pain they cause

Comments

Re: Spaces and choices

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

Speaking as one of the people you're tacitly accusing -- had someone said something derogatory towards Palestinians/Arabs I would've been all over that, as well. The idea of safety is not a lack of criticism. It's making sure your criticism can be heard and that people will understand the whys and wherefores of what's going on, and maybe move on from that.

Also, frankly, I will never abid by the assertion that Hamas = Palestians. Ever. The latter are a people in a fucking awful situation, much like Israel is, and are as much the victim as the Israeli people are. Hamas is a terroristic organization that has insinuated itself into a governmental position.

Much like George Bush never represented my interests, I would never believe that Hamas represented all of Palestine's. That's ludicrous, and simplifies an immensely complicated situation.

Re: Spaces and choices

[zharradan.livejournal.com]

Please see my response to chopchica at "http://alias-sqbr.livejournal.com/206161.html?thread=2094673#t2094673" - the same applies.

Re: Spaces and choices

[alias_sqbr]

I went to NZ a few years ago and had a bunch of locals get mildly shirty about me as a representative of the horrible things Australia was doing back then. It stands as a reminder to me never to equate a people with their government.

Re: Spaces and choices

[purrdence.livejournal.com]

*nodsnods*

Last year a parent at my school refused to take an exchange student billet because of the Japanese government's stance on their whaling industry.

I had to bite my tongue (because of the whole parent/teacher thing) from retorting 'so how exactly do you think picking on one kid is going to make the Japanese government change their mind?'

Re: Spaces and choices

[alias_sqbr]

Oh that's terrible, that poor kid! And as always people trying to fight a worthy goal end up actually attacking those who (a) Aren't the bad guys and (b) are in a position of less power.

I mean I definitely think Japan and Germany were The Bad Guys in WWII but that doesn't mean I think the way japanese (and to a lesser extent german) immigrants were treated here and overseas was justified.