If a feminist goes on a rant about how all men have done her wrong, DON’T say, “I’m not like that.” If a person of color goes on a rant about whiteness and how they feel oppressed by it, DON’T say, “I’m not like that.” If a trans* person goes on a rant about how ciswomen and radical feminist don’t include them in the feminist rights package, DON’T say, “I’m not like that.” And If someone from the LGBTQ community goes on a rant about how straight cisgender people limit their rights and silence their voices, DON’T say, “I’m not like that.”
Do you know why you shouldn’t say that four word sentence or sentences of the like? I’ll tell you why. Because they are the minority and by default you will be placed with the majority because you are not part of their struggle for rights. By saying that you aren’t like that, you turn their problem into your problem and it isn’t about you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been made uncomfortable for a split second because you were included with the majority by default, because they have been made uncomfortable throughout history for being a minority.
You want to help fight for equal rights? Do you want to prove that you’re on their/our side? Then come to a protest. Speak out when you see racism, sexism, homophobia, or anything of the like. Don’t be a two faced activist. We/they will notice. We/they will appreciate it. But don’t turn our/their problem into your problem. Don’t ask for brownie points for being a decent human being.
