Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

redgreenandblue

(2,088 posts)
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:21 AM Jun 2016

I get the vibe that in the current political climate, Jews and white gay men are not deemed ...

..."sufficiently oppressed" for them to be granted the right to an opinion on discrimination by certain segments of liberalism.

It seems as if, if your "differentness" does not either immediately show, or you make a point of drawing attention to it at every chance, people will assume you have not faced discrimination. And if you dare to voice an opinion on oppression that differs from that of certain people, you will immediately get accused of "whitesplaining"/"mansplaining". By straight white men and women no less. Sucks....

62 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I get the vibe that in the current political climate, Jews and white gay men are not deemed ... (Original Post) redgreenandblue Jun 2016 OP
A DUer mocked me for mansplaining about 3 days ago--and I'm not only a woman, but a woman who had merrily Jun 2016 #1
Sounds like someone on DU disagreed with something you said? Demit Jun 2016 #2
lol... WHEN have we EVER??? leeroysphitz Jun 2016 #6
it's pretty simple, non-Jews shouldn't try to 'explain' anti-Semitism to Jews, straight people geek tragedy Jun 2016 #3
And what if someone doesn't fall neatly into one category? redgreenandblue Jun 2016 #10
you can explain your own experiences, nt geek tragedy Jun 2016 #12
Love this. peace13 Jun 2016 #16
Spoken like someone who is neither African-American or bisexual, as ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #26
I am part Latino and bisexual. redgreenandblue Jun 2016 #28
Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #40
This message was self-deleted by its author merrily Jun 2016 #52
Trust me, we know where you're coming from. nt William769 Jun 2016 #51
seems like non-Jews here and many other places have no problem cali Jun 2016 #34
Anti-semitism gets treated with kid gloves too often geek tragedy Jun 2016 #35
Where is all this anti-Semitism? My A-S detector must Hortensis Jun 2016 #53
Yes, but can a person one quarter chinese "chinsplain" maoism to a jamacain??? jack_krass Jun 2016 #59
I have noticed Else You Are Mad Jun 2016 #4
You nailed it GummyBearz Jun 2016 #15
+1 840high Jun 2016 #27
I can't tell you how many times I've been insinuated to be a straight white man. VulgarPoet Jun 2016 #32
There are entire subforums on DU where this type of idiocy runs amock jack_krass Jun 2016 #61
DU is certainly full of self certainty. Straight white men who explain it all to LGBT and women Bluenorthwest Jun 2016 #5
Thanks for gaysplaining why I (a bi white man in his 40s) amnot allowed to have or voice an opinion. leeroysphitz Jun 2016 #9
Do not criticize Donald Trump unless you've lived as a billionaire Democat Jun 2016 #30
Your self-certainty is certainly oppressed. LanternWaste Jun 2016 #46
Can.you point out some examples? jack_krass Jun 2016 #62
This is symptomatic of the left's general problem in this country. Marr Jun 2016 #7
^^ +++ That +++ ^^^ Albertoo Jun 2016 #11
human nature, baby. 6chars Jun 2016 #17
It allows people to ignore any voice that they disagree with Democat Jun 2016 #31
Yep jack_krass Jun 2016 #60
Oh yeah. Any man defending any other man in ANY situation is a Men's Rights Activist. closeupready Jun 2016 #8
Ah the Oppression Olympics. whatthehey Jun 2016 #13
Assuming they're both cis, it would depend on who's left-handed. (n/t) Jim Lane Jun 2016 #21
not sure that any of us truly knows what others face GreatGazoo Jun 2016 #14
A lot of bitterness in this thread... ecstatic Jun 2016 #18
And a LOT of generalizing. Demit Jun 2016 #19
And a lot of whining gaspee Jun 2016 #20
Ain't that the damn truth. Number23 Jun 2016 #55
So, someone didn't listen to your opinion? So sad. kwassa Jun 2016 #22
You are correct. Behind the Aegis Jun 2016 #23
Really? Where do you see this? La Lioness Priyanka Jun 2016 #24
Well, if there were examples of it on DU, pointing them out would be against the new rules. redgreenandblue Jun 2016 #29
Ok, I do think that all minorities face some forms of discrimination La Lioness Priyanka Jun 2016 #33
Identity politics. romanic Jun 2016 #25
. geek tragedy Jun 2016 #36
Because white and male identity clearly doesn't drive their politics La Lioness Priyanka Jun 2016 #38
Roll them all you want. romanic Jun 2016 #42
Awww... Shankapotomus Jun 2016 #37
I didn't learn of my jewish heritage, until I was 40ish laserhaas Jun 2016 #39
Darling, LGBT don't just 'suffer' we are misused and mistreated by the straight majority. Bluenorthwest Jun 2016 #41
Sorry Bluenorthwest...that inhumanity is the Rule laserhaas Jun 2016 #56
Nobody has the right to any opinion libodem Jun 2016 #43
You don't think homophobia and anti-Semitism are sometimes marginalized? Behind the Aegis Jun 2016 #44
I thought I was born liberal libodem Jun 2016 #48
How strange. Behind the Aegis Jun 2016 #49
I think it depends on the particular--and individual--argument ismnotwasm Jun 2016 #45
There shouldn't be an argument about that, but there is. Behind the Aegis Jun 2016 #47
Yeah. ismnotwasm Jun 2016 #50
I hope so too. Behind the Aegis Jun 2016 #58
My wife accuses me... ymetca Jun 2016 #54
Well stated, discrimination comes in all forms and non should be superior to another. nt slipslidingaway Jun 2016 #57

merrily

(45,251 posts)
1. A DUer mocked me for mansplaining about 3 days ago--and I'm not only a woman, but a woman who had
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:25 AM
Jun 2016

just posted that women should be treated no worse or no better than a man.

No good can come from taking that kind of stuff seriously.

Just wave, smile and nod.

Much easier to say it than to live it, I know.

 

Demit

(11,238 posts)
2. Sounds like someone on DU disagreed with something you said?
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:32 AM
Jun 2016

Then they made an assumption about you personally, even though they don't know you? Why, that never happens here!

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
3. it's pretty simple, non-Jews shouldn't try to 'explain' anti-Semitism to Jews, straight people
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:38 AM
Jun 2016

should not try to 'explain' homophobia to lesbians and gay men, white people shouldn't 'explain' racism to black people.

redgreenandblue

(2,088 posts)
10. And what if someone doesn't fall neatly into one category?
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:54 AM
Jun 2016

Is someone who is one quarter African American and is generally straight but has occasional bisexual tendencies allowed to "explain" something?

 

peace13

(11,076 posts)
16. Love this.
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 11:10 AM
Jun 2016

Love the people who make rules about rules. It ranks up there with 'our primaries are only for D and R's'. Explain anything you want! If we don't speak up, we won't be heard.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
26. Spoken like someone who is neither African-American or bisexual, as ...
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 12:43 AM
Jun 2016

those who are comfort being either, don't parse shit out like that.

But that just may be my anecdotal experience.

redgreenandblue

(2,088 posts)
28. I am part Latino and bisexual.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:31 AM
Jun 2016

My brother is gay and lives in Orlando.

Good enough? Thanks for illustrating my point...

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
40. Well ...
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 10:21 AM
Jun 2016
I am part Latino and bisexual


That is a very different statement from:

someone who is one quarter African American and is generally straight but has occasional bisexual tendencies


And, your brother being gay in Orlando is unrelated to your original statement.

Response to 1StrongBlackMan (Reply #40)

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
34. seems like non-Jews here and many other places have no problem
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 08:38 AM
Jun 2016

explaining anti-Semitism to Jews and rarely get any backlash for doing so. In fact, it seems that its our Jewish brothers and sisters here who get tongue lashed for pointing out that non-jews are doing this.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
35. Anti-semitism gets treated with kid gloves too often
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 08:42 AM
Jun 2016

by a fair number of those adhering to the global left, and that shows up here.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
53. Where is all this anti-Semitism? My A-S detector must
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:39 PM
Jun 2016

be getting rusty. It was my observation that the anti-Semitism so unfortunately returning among some elements on the radical left was hard to find on DU and probably held away by the strong support for one of our two leading Democratic candidates who is Jewish, Bernie Sanders.

Wife of a Jew here, mother of two who look like Jews, follow a few Jewish traditions for "heritage," and have Jewish names. Don't know what I'm supposed to be qualified to speak on, but having my feelers poised has been something of a 45-year habit.

 

jack_krass

(1,009 posts)
59. Yes, but can a person one quarter chinese "chinsplain" maoism to a jamacain???
Fri Jun 24, 2016, 07:39 AM
Jun 2016

Or must he be at least 3/5 chinese? Inquiring minds want to know.

Welcome to identity politics, a toxic authoritarian philosophy built on a foundation of jello, and (fortunately) having little relevance outside of universities and messageboards.

Else You Are Mad

(3,040 posts)
4. I have noticed
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:39 AM
Jun 2016

There is a small portion of people on liberal websites that assume that anyone who disagrees (whether correctly or incorrectly) with their beliefs or opinions is automatically a privileged, white male that is talking down to them rather than talking to them and, thus, is wrong.

Of course, that does go on, but when this is repeatedly used to try to win an argument, it is absurd and is offensive.

 

GummyBearz

(2,931 posts)
15. You nailed it
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 11:07 AM
Jun 2016

While the portion is small as you said, it also seems to be very active. The majority of debates can be won by resorting to the "you don't get it because of your privilege" line these days.

VulgarPoet

(2,872 posts)
32. I can't tell you how many times I've been insinuated to be a straight white man.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 06:56 AM
Jun 2016

(The correct answer is "none of the above".)

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
5. DU is certainly full of self certainty. Straight white men who explain it all to LGBT and women
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:40 AM
Jun 2016

without a single hint of irony are super common here. Straight men pontificating about women and LGBT while being 'non white' is also common here.

Straight men telling LGBT and women all about LGBT and women gets very old and there is no group of straight men who have standing to lecture us about ourselves.

 

leeroysphitz

(10,462 posts)
9. Thanks for gaysplaining why I (a bi white man in his 40s) amnot allowed to have or voice an opinion.
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:50 AM
Jun 2016

I've never been waterboarded by the CIA lol but I'm pretty damn sure I could do a decent job of 'splainin why it's bad but whatever.

Democat

(11,617 posts)
30. Do not criticize Donald Trump unless you've lived as a billionaire
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:01 AM
Jun 2016

You don't understand his problems.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
46. Your self-certainty is certainly oppressed.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:44 PM
Jun 2016

Your self-certainty is certainly oppressed.

But whatever, part two.

 

Marr

(20,317 posts)
7. This is symptomatic of the left's general problem in this country.
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:49 AM
Jun 2016

It's devolved into an identity politics pity party. It allows the perpetually outraged to set the agenda, and all they ever really want to talk about is themselves.

 

Albertoo

(2,016 posts)
11. ^^ +++ That +++ ^^^
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:54 AM
Jun 2016

Can we get back to equal opportunity (regardless of age/sex/skin shade/sexual orientation)
and decent wage + health care for all?

PC-correctness does get tiring after a while.

Democat

(11,617 posts)
31. It allows people to ignore any voice that they disagree with
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:04 AM
Jun 2016

If you are different from them, your opinion doesn't count.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
8. Oh yeah. Any man defending any other man in ANY situation is a Men's Rights Activist.
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:50 AM
Jun 2016

ALWAYS. And crazy and scary!

The juvenile drama that goes on here on DU has either gotten worse, or as I've gotten older, I find it tedious and silly. Cheers.

whatthehey

(3,660 posts)
13. Ah the Oppression Olympics.
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 11:01 AM
Jun 2016

I think I have the pecking order broadly down now but there's some gaps. Whose side should I take automatically between a white handicapped poor gay US-born degreed Christian man and a black middle class able bodied bisexual immigrant HS dropout Muslim woman? Do I need to use their support for environmental activism as a tie-breaker?

GreatGazoo

(3,937 posts)
14. not sure that any of us truly knows what others face
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 11:07 AM
Jun 2016

and conversely it is very difficult, as an individual, to see that even if the biggest prejudice that other people have against you was taken away, you would be discriminated against for something else. One example, I know a couple of women who lost a lot of weight only to find that the co-workers and schoolmates who had called them "fat" now called them "sl*t". People tend to insult others with the words or ideas that they themselves find most hurtful when aimed at them.

The Greeks used to say "The oppressed oppress" and today we say "Haters gonna hate" so we have externalized it but the core idea is there in both -- miserable people spread misery.

gaspee

(3,231 posts)
20. And a lot of whining
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 02:30 PM
Jun 2016

And a lot of right wing tropes - oppression olympics? Where have I heard that before?

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
22. So, someone didn't listen to your opinion? So sad.
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 10:41 PM
Jun 2016

I would point out, however, that experiences with discrimination vary greatly in their specificity. How one group is discriminated against might have no relation to the way others are discriminated against. Experience with one may not give you insight to all.

Behind the Aegis

(53,951 posts)
23. You are correct.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 12:03 AM
Jun 2016

Apparently, to some, the only forms of "privilege" come only in "white" and "male" form, no other kinds exist and, if they do, they aren't nearly as important. Since the massacre, there has been a whole lot of 'splainin' going on, but it is the "straight" version. People fail to recognize the legitimacy of heterosexism and homophobia, (and anti-Semitism), which is why there are many who exert their HETEROSEXUAL PRIVILEGE and then claim it "doesn't exist" only "privilege" used against their group is real. It is the reason one sees straight people dictating to gay people what is and isn't homophobic (same with people telling Jews what is and isn't anti-Semitism, and attempting to redefining it to suit their twisted needs). It is also why you see privileged people mocking gays (Jews) as "whining" and "not getting their way." The great irony is some of those doing it are actually following the script of their own oppressors.

Heterosexism and homo/transphobia are quite real and many, most, GLBT have experience with it, but we are dismissed, ridiculed, and branded as bigots when we dare to stand up and speak our truths.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
24. Really? Where do you see this?
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 12:04 AM
Jun 2016

I don't mean where do you see homophobia? Or anti Semitism. I mean where do you see people claiming that those are not ways one can be discriminated against? Is this a du specific thing or are you talking about life in general?

redgreenandblue

(2,088 posts)
29. Well, if there were examples of it on DU, pointing them out would be against the new rules.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:34 AM
Jun 2016

Since that would constitute 'meta discussion'.

But no, not a DU specific thing.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
33. Ok, I do think that all minorities face some forms of discrimination
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 08:36 AM
Jun 2016

But some forms are more built into the system, like anti black racism. Some are more interpersonal and less systemic.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
38. Because white and male identity clearly doesn't drive their politics
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 08:47 AM
Jun 2016

People are so determined not to learn what advantages them and might disadvantage others.

romanic

(2,841 posts)
42. Roll them all you want.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:18 PM
Jun 2016

You know I'm right, identity politics and vilifying those who aren't as "oppressed" as another group has backfired on more than one occasion.

 

laserhaas

(7,805 posts)
39. I didn't learn of my jewish heritage, until I was 40ish
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 09:03 AM
Jun 2016

The woman I thought was my grand mother .mwas actually my Step grandmother...my real grand mom died giving birth to my mother

This is why the arguments about Warren or Obama ..suck...because no one can testify to most things ...about when, where or how they were born....without guidance from elsewhere.

Be thay as it may...as a Progressive....YID...I am with the Honorable Cornel West.

My brothers and sister, black, jews, Palestinians, women, or Chinamens chance people ( do you kniw where that phrase arose) are those of oppression...and can only be addressed by the Caucasian male who admits oppression of all others has transpired.

The Causian male has always used an issue of defense, based on fears expounded, to justify being oppressive

I dont have to be a Jew to know what the Nazi's did was wrong...

I do not need to be a black person to know that blacks were...and still are...looked down upon by most Caucasian males

I dont have to be gay to know that LGBT still suffer

And that the weak always have a lessor voice ( such as kids or elders abused )

Nor do I need to be any other race, creed, color of skin or type of Religion...to know many evils have been done in the false claim of righteous superiority

But the one thing that is universally True...There always are those who have suffered more

That never means I have right to complain against those that suffered less.

A bully mentality is a bully mentality..

No matter how it is guised

We can't abuse prisoners, just because we put them in jail

And we should be aware that many who suffer dont live in a steal cage that their actions put them in.

Compassion requires that there be compassion

Otherwise...you are compassionless

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
41. Darling, LGBT don't just 'suffer' we are misused and mistreated by the straight majority.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 10:32 AM
Jun 2016

Most straight people look at us with contempt, and DU since Orlando has shown that to be very true.

libodem

(19,288 posts)
43. Nobody has the right to any opinion
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:32 PM
Jun 2016

Nobody should be able to have their own thoughts, or to write or speak them. Everybody should shut up.

Somebody will tell us what to think snd say.

Development of empathy or compassion aren't important. Can't possibly ever happen. Alliance with other groups of people who support is essentially meaningless.

Behind the Aegis

(53,951 posts)
44. You don't think homophobia and anti-Semitism are sometimes marginalized?
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:41 PM
Jun 2016

I do.

You are entitled to your opinion, but there comes a point where someone from a majority group exhibits or expresses their privilege at the expense of a minority group. What I took from the OP was that when that privilege is heterosexual or Christian (or at least, not Jewish), then it is dismissed as not being a form of privilege. Black people/women don't like when white people/men tell what is and isn't racist/sexist. That shouldn't come as a shock. It also doesn't mean they don't want to hear the opinions of white people/men, they just don't white people/men "explaining" (white/mansplaining) to them what is real or true about the African-American/female experience. It is no different with Jews and the GLBT, yet some can't seem to comprehend that very simple fact; thus, we see non-Jews telling Jews what it is and isn't anti-Semitism; what makes someone a 'real' Jew, and a variety of other things. It means we see straight people 'splainin to GLBT people what is and isn't homophobia; when they should or shouldn't express our concerns in regards to our civil rights; and that discrimination against us isn't "as important" as discrimination against others.

libodem

(19,288 posts)
48. I thought I was born liberal
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:02 PM
Jun 2016

My parents were liberal. They taught nondiscrimination. But apparently if I'm not a minority I could never get it.

What an ass I've been for 60 years feeling all good about my magnanimous attitude of tolerance and acceptance.

Fuck. Me.

Behind the Aegis

(53,951 posts)
49. How strange.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:08 PM
Jun 2016

Careful now, standing next to all that flammable straw.

One can't be born "liberal."

I never said if &quot you are) not a minority (you) could never get it." As a matter of fact, I didn't even imply such an absurd thing. Apparently, though, you do feel that people in a majority culture have the right to tell those in a minority culture what is and isn't "their (the minority's) truth", because otherwise your legion of strawmen and sarcasm make no sense.

ismnotwasm

(41,976 posts)
45. I think it depends on the particular--and individual--argument
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:42 PM
Jun 2016

Being made, i.e. if the argument seems to lessen or minimize the experiences of another group.

Jews and White Gay men experience horrible discrimination, there should be NO argument about that.

Behind the Aegis

(53,951 posts)
47. There shouldn't be an argument about that, but there is.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 04:47 PM
Jun 2016

When I am told my rights as a gay man aren't really "civil rights"; I take offense to that statement. When I am told we aren't really victimized in the same way, therefore, it isn't as serious; I find that offensive. When stories about anti-Semitism are "dismissed" and we are told "there are other people with more serious problems"; I find that very offensive. When a Jewish person is attacked for being Jewish and we are told "who cares? this is just some stupid spat."; I find that offensive. All of these things have been said by supposed liberal/progressive people (except the last quote which is actually more of a paraphrase).

The murders in Orlando shined a very, very ugly light on homophobia and heterosexism among self-professed progressives/liberals.

ismnotwasm

(41,976 posts)
50. Yeah.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:10 PM
Jun 2016

It's been quite the year for ugly revelations. I hope, pray--whatever it takes-- that we learn from it. My entire life's philosophy is to fight the negative "isms"--to see one pitted against the other is horrible to watch or worse, be a part of.

So, it's all still "isms" not "wasms" We don't live in a "post" anything society--And I think the revelations of racism, sexism, anti-semitism and homophobia revealed on the left itself lately is the largest evidence of this.

I'm sorry BtA, I hope we can do better than this--much better.

Behind the Aegis

(53,951 posts)
58. I hope so too.
Fri Jun 24, 2016, 02:00 AM
Jun 2016

"to see one pitted against the other is horrible to watch or worse, be a part of" and you know what, that is exactly what has been happening, especially to Jews and the GLBT, especially gay men. When we speak out, we are accused of being "whiney", racist, "over sensitive", clueless, and other nasty things. It is even sadder when it is by people who claim they are against various other -isms, even lecture people about it, but when it comes to their own disgraceful displays of bigotry and privilege, then it is "No! YOU (Jew/gay man) don't really understand and I will explain why you are wrong according to ME!"

ymetca

(1,182 posts)
54. My wife accuses me...
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 06:02 PM
Jun 2016

...of "mansplaining" things all the time. Sometimes I get what she is saying and sometimes I don't.

But when I give her my take on why white male politicians do what they do, which is mostly just expressing their suppressed phallicism, she just nods her head in agreement.

Like John McCain's constant caterwalling about how our military always "pulls out too soon."

If there is one thing we both understand it is the "rape culture" in the heart of a sexually stunted bigot.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I get the vibe that in th...