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

[alias_sqbr]

I have a headache so I'm not responding to your full comment (will get to it later possibly after a nap), but to (hopefully) prevent myself doing EXACTLY THE SAME THING as emily_shore before she wised up(*): I agree with your general point that it's important not to create a safe space for one group at the expense of another, and I have seen people do this.

But unless I'm missing something in the post that wasn't in that thread, nothing I saw "against" Palestinians was "at least as offensive as the original ones, perhaps rather more so". I'm inclined to agree with the people who've responded to you below (though I'm reading this all after minimal sleep, so it's possible I may have issues with their arguments as well)

Hmm. My family is constantly having HUGE fights about Israel/Palestine, I'm not sure I'd be able to moderate a discussion on the subject in an objective way (BOTH sides remind me of annoying family members who approach their positions irrationally), so I hope one doesn't develop. (Yes this is a hint to anyone reading this to take any argument elsewhere)

(*)And the irony of the situation repeating itself in a post about how I'd like to avoid it is not lost on me. As mum always says, if there is a god ze has a sarcastic sense of humour...

Re: Spaces and choices

[zharradan.livejournal.com]

Yes, really all I'm trying to do is question whether certain things are possible. An interesting question then is whether even that questioning is problematic - I seem to have offended chopchica and ladycat777 by it (though in the original situation they were doing nothing but good).

On the political bit of your comment, I am leaving it in order to avoid argument.

Re: Spaces and choices

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

For me, at least you didn't offend me at all. I was a little confused because if I *had* done something like that I'd want to correct it immediately - I completely admit I don't pick up on Arab-based insults at all fast enough. I view Hamas differently and specifically, but if there was something I missed... That is just as unacceptable to me in my behavior.

Sorry if I sounded short before. I dashed that answer off between meetings :)

Re: Spaces and choices

[alias_sqbr]

I don't think they had a problem with you questioning the principle, but with your take on that specific situation and the part they played in it.