Kee HinckleyCan we talk about Black twitter and Mastodon migration?
I’ve pretty seen a pretty strong consensus from black twitter that their experience in Mastodon has been very negative. Many people don’t see this as a viable destination.
A number of people have pointed out the importance of listening to Black voices on the topic, and I absolutely agree.
OTOH, it’s never right to force activism on someone who just wants to live their life. So listening to Black voices and suggestions does not absolve anyone else of the responsibility to actively seek to learn about issues, and certainly not of the responsibility to do something about what they learn.
Here are some links from Black voices on this topic that I’ve seen since posting this (two that weren’t even as a result of this post, I hope it’s okay for me to tag them here).
@Tinu
https://mastodon.social/@Tinu/109333246923847039
@mekkaokereke
https://mastodon.cloud/@mekkaokereke/109338554570920088
Mekka :verified: 💉💉💉🎉 (@[email protected])
1. Most Black folk in the US experience frequent racism, and have to navigate racist systems daily. It's an important part of our lives. 2. Many white folk are very uncomfortable even hearing about racism. 3. People often talk about the most important things in their lives, with their friends. 4. Most white folk in the US (~75%), have no Black friends. Zero. None. https://www.prri.org/research/poll-race-religion-politics-americans-social-networks/
Tinu - Empress of Twerk@nazgul @mekkaokereke tagging me is fine. Question though, a sincere one. Are you saying that listening to me talk about my life is forcing activism?
No! It was a more general issue that I’ve seen in a number of spaces (lgbtq, gender, race, …), where someone will experience discrimination and everyone will say, “you should sue”, “you should speak up”, “you should protest”…. And you know, not everyone has the spoons to do that, or is at a safe place in their life, and that’s okay. I just didn’t want people to equate “listen to Black voices” with “let them instigate the conversation and do the work”. But I didn’t do a great job of expressing it.
Auntie Denier@nazgul @mekkaokereke @Tinu The first time I’ve seen “spoons” used in this particular way and I’m delighted.
@mekkaokereke @cordeliane @nazgul Never heard of this at all or this context?
https://youtu.be/jn5IBsm49Rk
https://youtu.be/jn5IBsm49Rk
The Spoon Theory written by and spoken by Christine Miserandino
@mekkaokereke @nazgul @Tinu Never! (I’d heard of the *card game* spoons.) But I watched it, thanks for sending. I have a couple of friends with disabilities/chronic illnesses so this was really thought-provoking. I have a lot of spoons at hand, turns out.
@cordeliane Having more spoons is something that makes allies valuable.