SonuvaSeaBeeDec 28, 2022
Catherynne M. Valente

I know exactly who needs to hear this, so:

Hating LGBTQ+ people isnt bold or edgy or alt-anything. It’s one of the oldest hatreds out there, & almost every evil regime sharpens its claws on us

Precisely *because* we truly harm no one but make some deeply uncomfortable. Thus: an easy target enough will overlook, justify, or downplay.

Dec 28, 2022 at 1:47pmWeb
Show threadUlrich TrommDec 28, 2022
@catvalente Those who feel uncomfortable have issues. The more self-assertive LGBTQ people are, the better,
Show threadFroteeDec 28, 2022
@catvalente I will never understand how people can be so deeply uncomfortable with what others do solely among consenting peers.
Show threadAgitatra 🚲🐻🌿🇪🇺🇺🇦Dec 28, 2022
@catvalente For me, the painful irony is that with the new Israeli government, a large share of people who were the victim of the other, “oldest hatred” foster the hate against LGBTQ+ people. I mean, of all groups of humans in the world, they should know how it feels to be wrongly accused of whatever atrocities imaginable.
Show threadJeremy (יעקב) 🇺🇦Dec 28, 2022

@agitatra @catvalente

You are German.

Not open to hearing about how #Jews didn't learn the right lesson from your parents and grandparents.

Show threadRuven PomeranceDec 29, 2022
@catvalente @agitatra Oppressed people don’t become angels because you oppress them. They are people. Just as likely to do wonderful things or evil things as anyone. Jews are guided by our culture and history. Some reach wrong conclusions from our sages or just ignore their teachings. What we don’t do is learn lessons from or oppressor and saying so is doubling down on cruelty.
Show threadseedsinputinspocketDec 28, 2022
@catvalente There's nothing bold or edgy about bullying marginalized people. I was that profoundly disabled kid in normal schools. I know all about those kinds of people. They are so weak-spined they punch down, not up.
Show threadRyan BorenDec 28, 2022

@catvalente I happen to be working on a "Comedy" glossary page for our community website today that addresses power and punching down in comedy.

Down-punching comedy is used to "sharpen the claws" of power.

https://stimpunks.org/glossary/comedy/

Comedy

A tradition in comedy says: Always punch up, never punch down. That is to say, don’t attack people who are already marginalized. Punching Up, Punching Down – The Good MenContinue reading "Comedy"

Stimpunks Foundation
Show threadfréDec 29, 2022
@catvalente
Some feel threatened by the sheer outside appearance or sexual nature of the other and dare not come closer and cope with it.
I think it is their subconscious mind telling them to stick to their own group and close ranks to what challenges them. It is fear for their own freedom.
Show threadJan ThieJan 1, 2023
@catvalente
Not quite the same, obviously, but maybe you can compare hate with jokes in one way?
So, if you must hate...
Punching up: probably still not good for your own soul but relatively harmless.
Punching down: you have a sewer soul.