I find that I am very interested in the nuances of language. I think the ways we use it matter much more than many people realise.
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And about individual perspectives & arguments. It enables 'I will speak to you as I'd like to be spoken to & take you on your own terms.'
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Rather than as a representative of an identity group. I think an expectation of common ground is the best way to find some.
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But postmodernists would say this misses the ways in which people's experiences differ because of the groups they belong to.
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And this is a fair point. I won't understand racism in the same way someone who experiences it regularly does. Limited common experience.
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But to focus solely on the ways people differ to the point of saying 'Only X group can understand Y' is both wrong & counterproductive.
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Because we're not mere conduits for discourses & shared humanity & individuality matter.
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I particularly take exception to the things like 'Just because you understand racism, don't think you understand homophobia.'
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Because that explicitly denies our common emotions & discourages empathy with a different group.
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How can the realisation, 'You feel hurt & angry & afraid when ppl are prejudiced against you just like I do' be a bad thing?
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In short, I think we have the ability to understand others' experiences because the common emotions they produce can be conveyed in words.
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And PoMo doesn't allow for either common emotions or the utility of language. But if you've ever cried over a book, u know this is false.
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