That phenomena scares the shit out of me. Sometimes I have to just say "This is weird but trust the kids, they know what they're doing" because there's some change in the way that Gen Z is approaching gender or politics or whatever and it takes me a while to adjust. I really, really don't want to turn in to a disconnected, judgmental person as I age so "Trust the kids to know what they're doing" becomes almost a mantra.
It's idealistic bloomerism but I think the desire for a viable future - any future - will become the great youth motivator in my time. I don't entirely trust the kids to have solutions but I think their ability to recognize the problems will be very powerful once motivated.
Step in if you see someone getting hurt or a decision which benefits the chuds if your generation, but I applaud your style of stepping back when you should. I hope I can emulate it when I become an older leftist instead of a young firebrand
Knowing when to step in and when to shut up is constantly fraught. I'm a cis white dude but sometimes I feel a strong conviction that it's time to jump in and start swinging to defend trans people, and other times I'm like "Shit this is not my time or place to speak". and I'm never 100% sure. The stakes are usually pretty low, but mentally it keeps me on my toes. I see so many comments from marginalized people about mouthy white guys who don't know there place, and I don't want to be that guy but I also don't want to let things slide out of complacency.
There's seldom a 100% way to be sure it's your time to speak. I'm also a straight cis white guy. I usually take the stance that I'll say something if no one else is speaking up because maybe the marginalized people don't feel safe speaking on the issue. If someone else has spoken who's closer to the issue I'll just back them up. If it's something I'm less sure of I'll say "that sounds kind of (whatever style of reactionary), probably don't say it." and back down if I get pushback from more affected groups.
That phenomena scares the shit out of me. Sometimes I have to just say "This is weird but trust the kids, they know what they're doing" because there's some change in the way that Gen Z is approaching gender or politics or whatever and it takes me a while to adjust. I really, really don't want to turn in to a disconnected, judgmental person as I age so "Trust the kids to know what they're doing" becomes almost a mantra.
It's idealistic bloomerism but I think the desire for a viable future - any future - will become the great youth motivator in my time. I don't entirely trust the kids to have solutions but I think their ability to recognize the problems will be very powerful once motivated.
Step in if you see someone getting hurt or a decision which benefits the chuds if your generation, but I applaud your style of stepping back when you should. I hope I can emulate it when I become an older leftist instead of a young firebrand
Knowing when to step in and when to shut up is constantly fraught. I'm a cis white dude but sometimes I feel a strong conviction that it's time to jump in and start swinging to defend trans people, and other times I'm like "Shit this is not my time or place to speak". and I'm never 100% sure. The stakes are usually pretty low, but mentally it keeps me on my toes. I see so many comments from marginalized people about mouthy white guys who don't know there place, and I don't want to be that guy but I also don't want to let things slide out of complacency.
i mean if it actually comes down to swinging, i dont think any trans person will judge you lol
There's seldom a 100% way to be sure it's your time to speak. I'm also a straight cis white guy. I usually take the stance that I'll say something if no one else is speaking up because maybe the marginalized people don't feel safe speaking on the issue. If someone else has spoken who's closer to the issue I'll just back them up. If it's something I'm less sure of I'll say "that sounds kind of (whatever style of reactionary), probably don't say it." and back down if I get pushback from more affected groups.