Today, I wrote this.
That’s pretty much all I have to say for the day. Consider it my entry.
Actually, I do have a just a bit to talk about. Julie, being my loving wife and a supporter, shared the link above on Facebook. I greatly appreciated her doing that, but then someone responded with less-than-pure intentions.
There’s a person that is still Julie’s friend– I’m not sure why, but I don’t ask these things– who apparently gave her and the committee for a completely different conference hell over a bathroom bill and wanting to switch locations. Granted, I’m against the gender bathroom crap. I have been since day one. And I actually protested a different CCCC over issues of LGBT rights in Houston. I get it.
But that woman’s issue with Julie over the other conference has nothing to do with what is happening right now. And frankly, it served as a perfect example of why this is such a complicated and difficult issue. Of course white scholars who think they know everything think they know what can and cannot be done.
I hate to say this with this much virtual bass in my virtual voice, but I’m 40-years-old and I’m tired of white people who do NOT know what they are talking about acting like they do because of white privilege. If you’re older than me, and you happen to be white and well embedded in the academic structures that we all know and are a part of, I officially give you permission to say “I don’t know.’ Better yet, you have permission to do what you usually expect of people like me. Be silent.
I know that sort of attitude isn’t considered professional, and believe me, I don’t say it out of anything but love. Some of my closest friends are white. Really. I have this white friend that is totally cool, so I know all about your culture.
We are at a point though where it’s time for someone to yell “shut the fuck up” at the people who have never had to shut up. Everyone else being nice, waiting their turn, showing respect… it led to Donald Trump being President. People are walking around with torches defending a statue of a fallen Confederate loser general, then driving cars into crowds in the name of white nat–racism. You did it your way and got to the point where you had no idea what to do, you screwed us all, and someone needs to take the wheel. You betrayed our trust on this one. Seriously, it’s too far.
Hey, arguably well-intentioned white folk with social status who actually don’t know what you’re talking about: shut the fuck up.
Maybe you can exercise your right to listen, just for a minute or two.
And to all my listeners out there, a pound of the fist and a hug. We’re all in this together.
I hereby remove the burden of figuring it out from your shoulders, if while sitting that burden aside you will accept that you probably didn’t know the answer. It was your not knowing that made it such a burden in the first place. It’s a cliche, but when you’re down in a hole, stop digging.
And before someone asks, I am not saying that I am right and others are wrong. I am saying that I am willing to take the dangerous step of saying “hey, I don’t really know what to do, but I have some ideas,” and I’m willing to forcefully suggest that what we’re doing isn’t the right plan of action. My name is Phill, and I am the voice telling you that how we’ve been doing things is broken. I just want us to stop and consider our options. I’m willing to be wrong.
all people like me want is for you to let go of the tree and walk out here on the limb with us. Yes, it’s dangerous out here. We might fall. But you forced some of us out here a long, long time ago. It’s time for you, too, to enjoy the view. I’m not sure you can comprehend how life looks when you can’t cling to the trunk for dear life while you look down on the world.
If you’ll let me, I’d like to help you cut the tree down so we can start over on even ground. There’s no reason for anyone to be out there on that limb anymore. There’s enough land for us to all grow our own trees.
So, yeah… personal vendetta Facebookery bugs me when I’m taking a risk and trying to make a point, and thank you to all the people who have commented so far with the overwhelmingly positive thoughts. You’re all my Facebook friends for a reason, and know that if you need me to go to bat for you, I’m here. I might not hit 1.000, but I have a mean cut. And like certain wrestlers and horror show villains, I’m not unwilling to wrap my metaphorical bat with metaphorical barbed wire if that’s what the situation calls for.