ismnotwasm
ismnotwasm's JournalIve seen DU go though periods where a lot things are "allowed"
Some fairly offensive. Scratch that, some absolutely and egregiously offensive.
Here's the thing about age, while age bashing can be anything from a shit-stirring comment to a rhetorical tool and is quite rude, the age of our politicians needs to be discussed imo. I love the idea of the elder statesman, one who has gained in wisdom throughout the years, we all know this isn't always the case. There is also, a huge technology gap that is changing social interaction--and society around the world itself. Clearly, politicians such as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders know how to use technology, to me the most revealing thing about the email and DNC hack snafu was how antiquated the state departments services actually were--they hadn't kept up with the times. I am not saying the hack could have been prevented, but the general impression I got was one of "oh shit"--this despite knowing bad actors like Assange were out there.
I know there are plenty of younger, plugged in folks surrounding and advising our aging polititians, but I wonder how well they are listened too? In a very short span of 20 years, technology has changed enormously. This is one reason, that while I adore Hillary as much or more than Bernie people adore Bernie, I am wanting to see fresher, younger faces involved in politics. Don't get me wrong, I don't want our elders to go away, I want to see mentorship. Hillary already is doing this (and has been doing this for years) with her new PAC, that will help organize the willing for the Democratic Party. She has inspired many young women especially. Bernie Sanders has obviously greatly inspired youth--some of whom will be involved with the Democratic Party, and continue to be a force for change.
So while the phrase "too old" is rude, and untrue, I think our older political people at the helm need to move aside and let our younger faces shine.
Except for SCOTUS, I want them to stay where they are until trump is gone, but such is the nature of lifetime appointments
Andy Serkis reading Trump tweets as Gollum is pure genius.
https://twitter.com/tombutler/status/885065844564393984Randy Rainbow is a national treasure
He's one of the most physically repulsive human being I've ever seen
He's not exactly ugly. And what people generally consider ugly usually has its own charm. No. He exudes overindulgence like too-strong cologne, his face falls into petulant lines automatically. His voice has the sing-song overlay of the school yard bully in first or second grade, disgusting in a man who should be present himself as an elder statesman. He has no dignity, no charm, not when measured by usual metrics. I am unable to see what the RW sees--they like this man, love what he stands for.
But physically repulsiveness is just the beginning, and I think you've outlined much of what makes him abhorrent from the inside well.
It's like he's a deadly childhood cancer, or other, necrotizing diseases made sentient.
I am unable to hate, but I am able to abhor and shun. I think I would experience nausea if he came to my city---that's far too close.
Whitesplaining decoded
Time to revisit..."Whitesplaining decoded"
American Gods Delivers a Powerful Black Lives Matter Message
American Gods is one of my favorite novels. I don't watch much TV--this adaptation is so far simply incredible.
The god appears, anachronistically dapper in a fresh-pressed purple suit and fedora. He laughs. Anansi, or Mr. Nancy as he’s called in America—one of the old-world mythological gods competing for worship in the fantastical universe of Starz’s American Gods—agrees to help. But first, he tells a story.
“Once upon a time, a man got fucked,” he begins. “Now how is that for a story? ‘Cause that the story of black people in America.”
He grins impishly at the men’s blank expressions, then remembers: “Shit!” he says. “You all don’t know you black yet. You think you just people. Let me be the first to tell you that you are all black. The moment these Dutch motherfuckers set foot here and decided that they white and you all get to be black—and that’s the nice name they call you? Let me paint a picture of what’s waiting for you on the shore…”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/08/american-gods-delivers-a-powerful-black-lives-matter-message
Feminists have the uncomfortable position
Of feeling a lot of "I told you so"--if not saying it.
All the arguments, here and elsewhere about patriarchy, rape culture, what it means to walk through life as a female-who in many instances is not regarded as fully human, especially when it comes to women of color. From the dismissing of terms such as "yellow fever" to the animalistic portrayals of the black female body.
To the disingenuous defense of certain words when used against women (I'm not talking censorship, I'm talking meaning) in the context of a hostile culture.
Arguments about what pornagraphy and prostitution mean, in terms of outcome--putting aside all bullshit "morality" arguments--these are situations that objectify the female body, and subjugate it to restricted economic agency.
We had warnings--4Chan, MRA's, white supremacists assholes--all that seemingly rotten structure in the backwash of the internet suddenly now has integral structure.
Has the female body ever had independent agency? Our rights have been under fire my entire life. It should come as no surprise that there are those who want to keep those rights as a salable bargaining chip. All things female are for sale in our culture.
Feminists have the uncomfortable position
Of feeling a lot of "I told you so"--if not saying it.
All the arguments, here and elsewhere about patriarchy, rape culture, what it means to walk through life as a female-who in many instances is not regarded as fully human, especially when it comes to women of color. From the dismissing of terms such as "yellow fever" to the animalistic portrayals of the black female body.
To the disingenuous defense of certain words when used against women (I'm not talking censorship, I'm talking meaning) in the context of a hostile culture.
Arguments about what pornagraphy and prostitution mean, in terms of outcome--putting aside all bullshit "morality" arguments--these are situations that objectify the female body, and subjugate it to restricted economic agency.
We had warnings--4Chan, MRA's, white supremacists assholes--all that seemingly rotten structure in the backwash of the internet suddenly now has integral structure.
Has the female body ever had independent agency? Our rights have been under fire my entire life. It should come as no surprise that there are those who want to keep those rights as a salable bargaining chip. All things female are for sale in our culture.
I am always surprised which category I get stuck in
During Bush years, it was "radical feminist". Now I am apparently the "status quo", and if I am not part of the actual west coast--Seattle in my case--elite, I support their agenda--or something.
So my story is this: raised by unstable working class racists uncomfortable with my home situation to put it mildly, I hit the street as a teenager, I have been homeless, hungry, dirty and addicted. I've been on welfare and food stamps, lived in housing projects. I managed to clean up, go to school and get my nursing degree. My beloved husband is on disability because of multiple sclerosis.
So what, I ask, makes me "elite"? Because I have an aversion to bullshit? Because I am literate and try to research to find truth? Because I care deeply about my fellow human beings? Because I abhor bigotry, and I know the open secret of white people like me is I have to guard against it, because it is part and parcel of whiteness? Because I believe women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights?
I love people who think, who don't get stuck because of bigotry they are too frightened too root out. Those are my peeps. Is it my fault they are all liberals and Democrats? Hell no it's not.
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Gender: Do not displayMember since: Mon Aug 23, 2004, 10:18 PM
Number of posts: 41,960
