Proud? Proud Of What Exactly?

[bettydavis]

2. because that type of pride is reactionary....

...to some current or prior stigmatization of said group by the more powerful members of their society. If you belong to a group that was limited or institutionally disenfranchised you are taught to be ashamed of what you are. It's part of the process. Keeps the whole thing on auto pilot. Just being called what you are becomes an insult in and of itself. (See Jane Elliot's Blue Eyes Brown Eyes 1960's experiments for more of how quickly groups respond to institutionalized oppression) Once that injustice is lifted, it's natural to want to shove the thing about you that others were using to hurt you right in their face. It's also verrrry cathartic to do so. So as I Love Love Love my man George, I aint down with him on this one... all good though.