I would add: the ability to have a discussion purely in theoryland about such subjects (rape, racism, heterocentricity, transphobia, whatever) is a pretty sure sign that the person in question doesn't have to wrestle with the problem on an intimate personal level. "This is just an abstract, theoretical conversation" not only doesn't play with actual life stuff, it can't; as soon as real people with actual experiences come into play, the theory needs to be tested against reality, and if reality conflicts, the theory has to go.
Across a lifetime, I agree; in an individual conversation, I disagree. I know this isn't what you mean, but it's possible to read this as "your abstract theoretical engagement means you don't have to wrestle with this problem on an intimate personal level," and just no.
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regna
(no subject)
Date: 2009-08-19 02:00 am (UTC)I would add: the ability to have a discussion purely in theoryland about such subjects (rape, racism, heterocentricity, transphobia, whatever) is a pretty sure sign that the person in question doesn't have to wrestle with the problem on an intimate personal level. "This is just an abstract, theoretical conversation" not only doesn't play with actual life stuff, it can't; as soon as real people with actual experiences come into play, the theory needs to be tested against reality, and if reality conflicts, the theory has to go.
Across a lifetime, I agree; in an individual conversation, I disagree. I know this isn't what you mean, but it's possible to read this as "your abstract theoretical engagement means you don't have to wrestle with this problem on an intimate personal level," and just no.