On Persecution Complexes & Rage
Filed By Mercedes Allen | July 02, 2012 11:30 AM
http://www.bilerico.com/2012/07/on_persecution_complexes_and_rage.php or
http://dentedbluemercedes.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/on-persecution-complexes-and-rage/The interplay of rage and persecution complexes works to shape trans, LGB - and in fact all - struggles against oppression. It can become an eternal feedback loop that can stymie any attempt to move progressive causes forward, if it succeeds in establishing its circuitous pattern.
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Probably the most obvious model of how the persecution and rage cycle happens is with the far right's characterization of anything that benefits LGBT people, women, science, atheism and just about anything outside of fundamentalist interpretations of church doctrine as "anti-Christian persecution." As such, I want to preface this with a clear statement. My quarrel is with narrow branches of ideology that seek to marginalize trans, LGB and any other class of people, regardless of the excuse given.
My quarrel is not with Christianity, and I acknowledge the affirming people of faith, who give me hope. My quarrel is also not with feminism, a movement which I am very much in solidarity with and believe in. Faith and feminism are both often co-opted by narrow-thinking bigots who use them to spin excuses for prejudice at the best of times, and in their darker moments exploit them as shields for sympathy and to cry persecution in a way that they hope will convince onlookers that they're the real wronged party.
