You seem to be saying that we have a choice. Whether to fight for our rights to exist, recognized as actual people. Or not fight and keep hiding so as not to make waves in the rest of society. While you don't come out and say it, for those who have chosen to hide, you seem to be calling us cowards (or "victims" - which in the way you phrase it, might as well be the same thing).
There are more choices to be made than that one.
First, I think it's worth mentioning that not all battles are equally important to the war, and no one has limitless time and energy to fight them all. Because you have to actually live your own life too. Sometimes it's better to cede in some places in order to have the strength to fight in another arena for more fruitful gains. I like to take the long-run view on things. Choose your battles wisely, where you can do the most good and where they will have the most effect.
I say the same things to people looking for ways to make a difference on the issue of gay rights here in the U.S. It applies to anything, really. In the end you have to have faith that the real truth will eventually prevail. It may not happen for a decade or two, or even in your own lifetime. But eventually what's right will be made right.
To that end, I think the best strategy is to educate the young. The ones who are most open and willing to learn. The older generations of closeminded naysayers will eventually die out. Then the world will be a place where black people and white people - or straight and gay, or "normal" and transgendered - can sit down at the same tables and it will be a world where such things are a complete non-issue.
Fifty years ago in the U.S., we were at the beginning of the exact same war for racism. Now it's the beginning of the war for the genderqueer. Where will we be in fifty years? Keep your eyes on the light and have faith. :)
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branchandroot
you didn't think I was just going to say "nice job" did you?
Date: 2006-12-15 11:51 pm (UTC)You seem to be saying that we have a choice. Whether to fight for our rights to exist, recognized as actual people. Or not fight and keep hiding so as not to make waves in the rest of society. While you don't come out and say it, for those who have chosen to hide, you seem to be calling us cowards (or "victims" - which in the way you phrase it, might as well be the same thing).
There are more choices to be made than that one.
First, I think it's worth mentioning that not all battles are equally important to the war, and no one has limitless time and energy to fight them all. Because you have to actually live your own life too. Sometimes it's better to cede in some places in order to have the strength to fight in another arena for more fruitful gains. I like to take the long-run view on things. Choose your battles wisely, where you can do the most good and where they will have the most effect.
I say the same things to people looking for ways to make a difference on the issue of gay rights here in the U.S. It applies to anything, really. In the end you have to have faith that the real truth will eventually prevail. It may not happen for a decade or two, or even in your own lifetime. But eventually what's right will be made right.
To that end, I think the best strategy is to educate the young. The ones who are most open and willing to learn. The older generations of closeminded naysayers will eventually die out. Then the world will be a place where black people and white people - or straight and gay, or "normal" and transgendered - can sit down at the same tables and it will be a world where such things are a complete non-issue.
Fifty years ago in the U.S., we were at the beginning of the exact same war for racism. Now it's the beginning of the war for the genderqueer. Where will we be in fifty years? Keep your eyes on the light and have faith. :)