Bigotry aimed at our enemies only hurts our friends: it bears repeating

[AlienGirl]

Transphobic comments are not an innocuous way to blow off some steam venting about certain vicious right-wing windbags. Transphobia hurts all transgendered people in exactly the same way that racism hurts black people, anti-semitism hurts Jewish people, and homophobia hurts gay people. And it hurts the friends and families of transgendered people. Which includes me, which is why I take this very seriously.

There are PLENTY of things to say about nasty right-wing personalities without stooping to bigotry, and I know we DUers are creative enough and resourceful enough, and most importantly, ACCEPTING enough and KIND enough, to find ways to poke at right-wing jerks without accidentally poking our friends in the eye at the same time.

Tucker

[MuseRider]

1. Tucker,

:applause:

[Mythsaje]

2. Some people just don't get it,

no matter how often you say it.

I agree, by the way.

[dorkulon]

3. I don't get it.

What are people calling Republicans that would hurt the people in question?

[Neil Lisst]

5. see my other post

[Neil Lisst]

4. Aliengirl, your earlier thread on this topic really had an impact on me.

I could instantly see how hurtful all the Ann (man) Coulter comments would be, and other such shots about "trannies" or alleged "trannies."

Thanks for speaking up.

[Duncan Grant]

6. Thank you for posting this, AlienGirl.

I was going to post more about this but I find that I'm just so damn tired of trying to explain to progressive Democrats why holding trans people in contempt is just plain WRONG. And, it's an indefensible strategy to attack Ann in this way; one cannot condemn the intolerance of Ann Coulter with anti-trans "humor".

Is it not the ultimate irony to see DUers spew vitriol as effectively as Ann? :banghead:

[REP]

7. Damning Those Who Don't/Won't Have Children Is Just As Bad

Would like to see some impassioned posts on that subject as well.

[blondeatlast]

11. Absolutely.

I know people childless by choice and they get hurtful comments made to them and I also know a couple who desperately want a child and have so far been unsuccessful.

I wouldn't wish that hurt on an enemy--and I didn't.

[Hekate]

8. Dear Tucker -- I came over here from the other thread to say thanks

Thanks again for saying what needs to be said. Eventually it will get through to the people who need to absorb the lesson.

While I agree with DUers who point out that Ms Coulter is a loathsome creature, it ultimately has nothing to do with her gender/color/height/weight/age/sexual orientation/religion.....

She is who she is by virtue of choices she makes every day about her behavior toward others, which is toxic in the extreme. She can be righteously excoriated for her toxicity and hypocrisy without resorting to terms that hurt others who have nothing to do with her or her demonic cohorts.

We are better than that -- at least I know we want to be.
Hekate

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Why do we continue to hurt one another?

I belong to another discussion forum that allows conservatives to post with liberals. It is not a fast moving forum, but it has been eye-opening. I have discovered not ALL conservatives are "hate-filled." And, get this, they don't think all liberals are "moonbat crazy."

Yet, I come here, a supposed "safe haven" and find some of the most offensive shit I have ever had the displeasure of reading! I don't expect all of us to agree on every topic, but I see suggestions for misogynistic, homophobic responses to be "funny." And, when not found funny, told to move from my home to "get a sense of humor." I find rancid anti-Semitic responses that should be excused, because I am "over-sensitive." I see racist remarks "blown off" as just...well, they are just blown off.

We are supposed to be the party for every man and woman, why do we not strive for it? Why do we blame groups for ruining our electablitity? Why do we see posts about how "I will NEVER vote for "so-and-so" because s/he is not the "perfect" democrat? Why do we see "I will vote third-party or not vote at all" posts?

Want to know why we, as Democrats, lose? It is not because of failed election machines (although, that may play a part), we lose because we cannot get a common message and because we spend more time attacking our own!

Laugh at..."MANnie Coulter." Laugh at "gays wanting too much, too soon." Laugh at "Christians are all crazy."

Keep laughing! Because, as you laugh, we keep losing! We will always be beat by the Republicans because they understand, "praise in public, criticize in private."

AG, I am sorry to hijack your thread, but it goes beyond the contempt of the Transgendered. We will be doomed, until we realize that we are for the "PEOPLE!" ALL OF THEM! We will be doomed as long as we think we are above prejudice and bigotry!

Equality for all or justice for none!

[blondeatlast]

10. When we turn the oppositions ridiculous arguments back upon them

it lends credibility to what they say, whether intended or not.

Regardless of what the issue is (LGBT. childless by choice/fate, being single) it doesn't matter. By perpetuating their mistaken values, we strengthen their argument.

Here I find myself in the very uncomfortable position of DEFENDING someone I despise. It doesn't matter; mocking said person for the issues posited in that other thread plays right into their hands lends crdibility to that argument that it doesn't deserve.

[AngryAmish]

12. Amen

Now when we get to those all so hilarious prison rape jokes...

[Sugar Smack]

13. Recommended!!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause: Great stuff, AG! Thanks!

[blondeatlast]

14. Kick--let's keep this way on top above the thread that inspired it. nt

[blondeatlast]

15. K--to keep it above the thread that inspired this. nt

[tgnyc]

16. I'm sorry, but I'm not understanding what you are referring to.

[Duncan Grant]

17. Kick

:kick: