Some people really get off on starting fights on social media about literally anything. When those folks are progressives & radicals, it often involves shaming people. I’m just not interested in a movement based on shame & shade. Especially not right now. 🙁
One of the reasons #PleasureActivism appeals to me is the idea that we need to make our movements irresistible, make liberation the most pleasurable experience possible. That doesn’t mean we don’t call each other in, we don’t grow, but we do it from a place of love, not shaming.
People are more likely to change their behaviors long-term when they internalize the value of those behaviors not because they are afraid that others are watching/policing/judging. We are all so tender right now, let’s try to lash out less & be compassionate more.
Taking a moment to be thoughtful about how we respond to be virtually & in person, especially about choices within a pandemic, feels really important to me right now as I watch friends struggle. None of us are outside of oppression. We’re all making choices in a broken system.
Our anger & critique needs to be directed toward those doing harm of course. Tell that person who is yelling at a grocery store clerk to shut the fuck up. But when we want to encourage our friends & community members to make good choices, shame is not a viable long term strategy.
