Meeting people where they are is a vital part of the rhetorical process. The bigots and oligarchs are speaking the language of the ordinary people and a lot of those people are making it clear that their vote is contingent on such things.
I get the value of inclusive language. I’ve been involved in trans activism for a long time and I’ve watched us go from “please stop referring to us with porn categories and dehumanizing language” to things that while I agree with definitely can come off as nitpicking.
You’ll get way further telling someone that they’re only able to not care about politics because there are a few heads in front of them on the chopping block and that the guy with an axe keeps telling them they’re safe. You’ll also get a lot further bringing others’ needs into the realm of their concerns. Its why I’m a huge proponent of PFLAG. A lot of straight and cis people struggle to empathize with queer needs, but can readily see themselves in the shoes of our parents. The right has learned this tactic from gay activism while we’ve let it fall to the wayside.
White liberals are too oblivious to persuade with fear. You have to persuade them by appealing to their saviour complex. They won’t avoid apoliticism for their own sake, but you can convince them to be heroes to the trans community. It’s positive motivation. The carrot, not the stick.
Meeting people where they are is a vital part of the rhetorical process. The bigots and oligarchs are speaking the language of the ordinary people and a lot of those people are making it clear that their vote is contingent on such things.
I get the value of inclusive language. I’ve been involved in trans activism for a long time and I’ve watched us go from “please stop referring to us with porn categories and dehumanizing language” to things that while I agree with definitely can come off as nitpicking.
You’ll get way further telling someone that they’re only able to not care about politics because there are a few heads in front of them on the chopping block and that the guy with an axe keeps telling them they’re safe. You’ll also get a lot further bringing others’ needs into the realm of their concerns. Its why I’m a huge proponent of PFLAG. A lot of straight and cis people struggle to empathize with queer needs, but can readily see themselves in the shoes of our parents. The right has learned this tactic from gay activism while we’ve let it fall to the wayside.
White liberals are too oblivious to persuade with fear. You have to persuade them by appealing to their saviour complex. They won’t avoid apoliticism for their own sake, but you can convince them to be heroes to the trans community. It’s positive motivation. The carrot, not the stick.