1) On racism
Racist is an adjective, not a noun. A person is not “a racist” or not; but certain actions or words are racist. I agree w/ Courtney:
I’ve long felt like calling people “racist” was the most pointless shit ever. It allows those who are doing the labeling to pretend they’re not–even though we’re all socialized in a racist society, and therefore, a little bit racist (in the words of Avenue Q). And it allows those who are the people being labeled to grow irate and not have a real conversation about race.
2) On “feminist acts”
You can’t determine whether something is “a feminist act” based simply on the act itself. The act alone gives you no basis on which to make such a determination, because you are lacking contextual information. It’s pointless to argue over whether [X] is a feminist act; what makes it a feminist act or not is all the other stuff around it - motivation, context, etc. But, I’m repeating myself.
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7 Responses to "Notes"
Excellent notes!
Interesting. I think a feminist act is anything good for women.
Great! Thanks for this, Amber! I’ve long been guilty for labeling people as “-ists,” and didn’t learn to question it until recently. The first note really outlines why one shouldn’t resort to that, though.
As for the feminist acts, thing, that’s perfect. I agree wholeheartedly, and it’s something I overlooked as recently as yesterday.
Great notes!
donna darko,
I don’t disagree. I should do a more in-depth post and explain the difference I see between political acts and acts in one’s daily individual life. I dashed this off quickly.
Jen and Derek,
Thanks!
So, can someone be a bigot? Or is bigotry limited to only being a descriptor of actions and words as well? The point that there is enough entrenched racism in the world that none of us can claim not to be racist is valid, but I still think that there are people who are friggin’ racists. I might do or think something racist from time to time, but some people have severe racism at the core of their being, and it informs all of their interactions with others. Maybe I’m splitting hairs at this point. :)
I think what you said here proves your own point. Instead of “friggin’ racists” the more appropriate term would be “friggin’ bigots.” I’ve written about this before (no time to look up the links right now) how too often when people use the word “racist” or “racism” there is not a shared understanding of what the word refers to, so people migh tbe talking past each other, or the people in the conversation each think they’re having a different conversation. Because often when people refer to racism, what they really mean is bigotry. Will try to write more later and find those links.
What’s also interesting reading this post is no is called “a sexist” while a person can be “a racist.”
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