As a respected Feminist in my community and noted Feminist Blogger on the internet, I religiously attend the White Privilege Conference each and every year. It's one of the things I really enjoy, as it presents deep thinkers speaking the reality about things we usually never see. I really think the White Privilege Conference provides something needed for the community.
I'm attending every day of the White Privilege Conference, and this year I was really pleased to be in sessions of the concurrent workshops. And I think I really added to the conversation with a Feminist Perspective.
Particularly the opening keynote with Yusef Salaam brought me to tears when he told us what Muslims have gone through in history and what they are continuing to go through now. I think that really was the highlight of the conference, especially in light of the bigotry coming from Republicans right now.
That's why I was so fucking disappointed when known white male "Historian" Jim Loewen showed up to give his keynote speech the next day. I'm of the opinion that any White Males coming to this conference should only be observers, but apparently even we at the White Privilege Conference have more work to do in checking our privilege.
It was what Loewen started saying that really caused me problems. He began giving a speech ans saying the N-Word. Yes, I know he was just trying to give examples of how it was used and was using quotations, BUT THIS IS NOT OK. NO white people should even be allowed to use those words due to the TRAUMA it has caused for CENTURIES.
I sat in my chair in shock. I just couldn't believe this and I felt we were all being taken back to a time when things were so bad for everyone except straight white cis males, and I could feel the trauma all over again. I know I wasn't the only one. I'm sad to say this but I began shaking and had to excuse myself to the bathrooms because I was having a mild panic attack.
Last night I couldn't get to bed until 4am, and I began throwing up this morning as a result. I'm sorry but HOW THE FUCK DID THIS HAPPEN?! WHO SCHEDULED THIS SHIT! THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WHITE PEOPLE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP WHEN THEY SHOW UP HERE. THIS IS A SANCUTARY WHERE PEOPLE OF COLOR NEED TO BE VULNERABLE AND REAL AND THIS IS ALSO WHY WE NEED HATE SPEECH LAWS SO PEOPLE CAN BE PUT IN JAIL WHEN THIS TRAUMA HAPPENS.
I apologize for the rant here but my hands are literally shaking right now and I can barely type. FUCK YOU JIM LOEWEN FOR RUINING ONE OF THE FEW THINGS I LOVE IN THIS SICK WORLD
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