a post on systematic inequalities
*this is for all complaining about specific causes such as Black Lives Matter or Women's Health Clinics or so on and so forth. This is why it's specific, and this is what I mean by systemic inequalities. This is applicable to trans/non-binary individuals, all who aren't heterosexual, all religions that aren't Christian (specific to the US, at least), all who aren't white/Caucasian, as well as those who live in poverty.
My questions are - do you understand? Do you agree? What questions do you have? And how do you propose we fix the problem?
Imagine a wall full of circular holes, that circles can keep walking in and out of with no difficulty.
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Now imagine that the triangles manage to get the resources together, after years of not being able to fit through the circle’s holes, to drill a single triangle space into the wall.
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Now imagine that the circle — who previously supported the triangle’s efforts because they are well-rounded (har) and value equality — comes along and sees the construction project. But instead of being happy, they get angry.
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“Well, I won’t be able to fit through your hole!!!!” the circle cries.
“I helped you get the drill!!!!” the circle shrieks.
“Make it fit me too!!!!” the circle demands.
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The triangles, barely holding it together enough to get a triangle hole together, stare at the circle in confusion.
“You have all the holes you need,” the triangles explain. “This is for us. You don’t need to fit through our hole, too.”
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“YOU’RE BEING UNEQUAL AND HURTING MY FEELINGS!” the circle wails. “I DON’T SUPPORT YOUR HOLE IF IT DOESN’T FIT ME TOO. GIVE ME MY DRILL BACK.”
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“It’s not your drill, it’s our drill. You helped us get it, because you said you cared.”
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“I ONLY CARED WHEN I THOUGHT YOU’D MAKE A HOLE EVERYONE COULD FIT THROUGH. YOU’RE PERPETUATING INEQUALITY!!!”
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“Why is it up to us, the small group that has never been able to fit through the wall at all, to make a hole everyone can use? Why isn’t it up to you, the people who have been able to cross back and forth at will for years? We just want to see the other side; why are you yelling at us?”
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“I DIDN’T ASK TO BE BORN A CIRCLE, OMG. I’VE HAD TO WORK HARD ALL MY LIFE TOO. YOU’RE JUST BEING BIGOTED AGAINST ME BECAUSE OF SOMETHING I CAN’T CONTROL, JUST LIKE EVERYONE IS AGAINST YOU.”
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“You are interfering with our project and asking us to comfort you while we’re trying to make progress. Please leave.”
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“I’m going to tell everyone about this,” the circle warns. “Nobody will support you now.”
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“Apparently nobody ever did,” the triangles sigh, getting back to work.
UPDATE: Y'all are so sweet but I can't take credit for the story! I found it online and I just thought a different approach to this conversation might make more of an impact!
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