I am not a Woman of Color.

[butterflydreaming]

I am not my gender, my race, or my age. I am not my sexual orientation. I am not my religion, my political affiliation, or the my shoe size.

Neither are you, in my eyes.

There will be things with which you feel an affinity, and your background, history, and upbringing will influence who you are, but they are not all that you are. Assumptions based on appearance are a social norm, but they are not good. It does a subtle kind of damage when you encourage others to categorize you. It perpetuates an acceptable level of agism, sexism, and racism. It promotes cliqueish behavior.

The facets of what we are should enhance us, as jewelry would. Our differences should not create barriers between us, because every one of us is a minority of 1. It's hard enough to bridge the basic barriers of running around in our own skins -- why must the tone of that skin complicate understanding? Appearing to be alike doesn't make two people alike.

I live the way that I want the world to be. That may be naive, but I accept my naiveté. How can anything exist if you don't believe in it? I live in the world I make, as much as possible. I think it's important to shape your world into the way you want it with everything you do. Everything matters. Actively participate in your life.

That's not everything that I want to say, just a little of it.

Comments

[oldgoldalsatian.livejournal.com]

Is a Particular the convergence of many Universals? No, really, it's a question!

Neither are you, in my eyes.
Yeah, but in the picture there, it'd be pretty easy for nearly anybody to categorize me as all the things that add up. If it happens, I don't take offense any more.

[butterflydrming.livejournal.com]

Is a Particular the convergence of many Universals?
Possibly, in the same way that a rhombus is a square -- and I'm not sure if I'm answering your question so much as what I think your question might mean. Since each of us starts out with different connotative meanings for any (forgive the overused semi-polical term) label... well, I'd rather not use them at all. Not to categorize a person. However, when a word is used as a plain adjective, a descriptor, the "political" weight is taken out of it. I don't mind if someone describes me as hispanic or latina, even if that simplifies my heritage greatly, if that person is simply trying to describe me. Describe, not define.

Also, the accuracy of a person's impression of another depends on the observer's ability with body language.

I would think you had picked that picture for your default icon because that *is* how you want your personality presented.
:)

[oldgoldalsatian.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your reply! You're so right!

[butterflydrming.livejournal.com]

Ah, one of my favorite things to hear. {grin}