this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2023
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I find this kind of article discouraging for two different reasons. First, the initial statement that it makes, what's on the surface. You see all these people making all these horrible comments and it's sad.
The other thing that's just as discouraging to me is the reaction. From what I understand the best way to approach this kind of thing is through education and compassion, ultimately leading to conversion.
You'll never convince anyone by screaming at them and you'll just bring yourself "to their level"
What I would like to see instead It's for everyone to be a little bit more like Daryl Davis. Now I understand that not everyone has the patience of Daryl Davis, but I think this man's example is the ultimate model to follow.
For those who don't already know, Daryl Davis is an African American blues musician but spent his free time converting a couple hundred Klan members from being racist. I understand that's a really clumsy way to say it but I really don't have a better term for that because people don't typically believe that people can be converted from racism. This dude did it.
What I find really discouraging is that the anger, the vitriol, the pain at hearing these things come out of people's faces is fully human, a natural response, a normal response. What I fear is that if we don't all become like Daryl will none of us survive. What I fear is that it's not fair to expect many people to become like Daryl at all.
There's just too much money to be made peddling rage.
Oh god, not this bullshit again
Transphobes can eat my ass
Ok well while they do that, they're still voting and spreading their ideas to like minded individuals. I'm not saying we normalize their behavior. Fuck that backwards shit. But your dismissive attitude only serves to alleviate your own burden of interacting with them and entrenching them further in their hatred of those with other options.
Feel free to disagree, because I definitely understand the mental difficulty of dealing with people that just want to hate. So I'd love an alternative. But treating people as disposable ain't it, I'm afraid.
If you wish them the same, do you expect them to suddenly start treating you with respect? If you find yourself in a mentally dangerous place after interacting with these people, I would suggest avoiding these interactions as much as possible. But if you have the capacity to bring them towards a better way of thinking with some respect, I sincerely suggest you do. I just don't see how we're going to get out of this cycle of hate without someone stepping up and trying to bridge the gap. I doubt the people that want you dead for just being yourself have the maturity to start that journey on their own.
I believe the "fight" is to change their mind about trying to take away your rights. It may be anecdotal, but I've seen people's minds change on this topic through respectful conversation. Never after being told to shut the fuck up. I can only imagine they're more likely to vote against you and basic human rights after being told "eat my ass" by a trans rights supporter online.
Thank you for responding with the eloquence that I simply do not have the mental energy to summon today. You've saved me some spoons. ❤️