Summary

The article argues that the ability to disengage from politics is a privilege primarily afforded to white, middle-class individuals, particularly straight cisgender men, due to systemic biases that politicize the identities of marginalized groups.

Abstract

The author of the article emphasizes that in the United States, the choice to remain apolitical is indicative of privilege, specifically for those who are white and middle class. This privilege allows individuals to ignore political discourse and its implications on their lives, a luxury not afforded to those who are marginalized based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other demographic factors. The article contends that for many, especially those who are not straight, cisgender, white, Christian males, daily life is inherently political because their very existence challenges the established norms enforced by the dominant group. The author criticizes the weaponization of privilege to suppress discussions on critical issues like slavery, systemic racism, marriage equality, and women's rights, and highlights the societal impact of such suppression, including the stripping of rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Opinions

The author suggests that the politicization of race, gender identity, and sexuality is a tool used by the dominant group to maintain power and control.
It is argued that the historical and ongoing marginalization of certain groups makes their daily lives political, as they continually fight for basic rights and recognition.
The article criticizes the narrative that discussions about race, gender identity, and sexual orientation are political issues rather than acknowledging them as fundamental aspects of human identity.
The author points out that the ability to ignore politics is a sign of privilege, as the current systems and laws in America largely favor straight, cisgender, white men.
There is a critique of the defensive stance taken by those in power to block progressive laws by framing marginalized groups' rights as political issues.
The author expresses frustration over the removal of important historical events from educational curricula, which serves to obscure the origins of systemic inequalities.
The article implies that those who benefit from the status quo should not be surprised or dismissive when marginalized groups protest and demand their rights.

Staying Out of Politics is a Privilege

One that not everyone gets to enjoy.

How many of you have friends who don’t engage with politics by choice? They say things like “oh, I don’t follow politics” or “I don’t get involved with that kind of thing.” Do you know someone like that?

If I had to guess, they’re probably white and at least middle class. Just a guess.

It’s easy to say you don’t want to engage in politics when you have a bit of privilege. If you, like me, are a middle-class white guy, it’s very easy to say “this doesn’t affect me” and just…not engage. Don’t follow the news, never vote, and just move through your life willfully ignorant of the political process.

(Granted, I have no idea how that might happen in the age of the 24-hour news cycle and phones where we are connected to the internet at all times, but what do I know? There are plenty of Luddites in my circles.)

Still, it does happen, and it is often an example of some level of privilege that comes with being white and at least middle class. You wouldn’t think that something like “ignoring politics” is a hallmark of privilege, but it really can be.

The thing is, in America, things like race, gender identity, sexuality, and other demographic identifiers are intensely political, even though they shouldn’t be. If you bring up race in a political discussion, you are often accused of “playing the race card,” as though being black is some sort of political wedge issue and not a basic fact of life for upwards of 14% of the American population.

The thing is, unless you’re white, your race is political. Unless you’re straight, your sexuality is political. Unless you’re cis (particularly a cis man), your gender identity is political. Generally, if you are anything but a straight, cis, white, Christian male in America, your existence is considered political to many.

Why, though? Race, sexuality, gender identity, and religion are not cards to play in some sort of political game but rather parts of who we are and how we identify. The only people who have made it political are white guys who try to enforce a straight cis white male viewpoint on everything. Deviation from that is considered political only in that it is not the “norm.”

Unfortunately, the straight cis white guys have been in control for a long, long time. As such, the viewpoint that anything outside of the norm is considered “political” means that if you are one of the majority of people who identify as anything other than a straight cis white guy, your mere existence is political. And, when living your life and going about your everyday business is considered “political,” you don’t get the luxury of staying out of politics.

Try to bring up slavery or systemic racism? Stop getting political. Want to talk about marriage equality or the history of Pride? Ah ah ah, you’re getting political. Bringing up women’s rights or the history of abortion rights? Nope, political. Are you BIPOC, queer, or a woman? Stop being so political!

And, to the detriment of society at large, these people do their damnedest to weaponize their privilege and ability to make these things political by doing things like banning (and burning) books and shaping teaching curricula. I don’t understand how the history of slavery, which was very much a key part of American history for hundreds of years, is political for some reason.

Oh wait, yes I do. It’s because the straight cis white guys who are trying to push that view are bigoted misogynistic homophobes who want to keep anyone who isn’t them from having rights. They want to return to the golden age of America where men were men, women were silent, and black people stayed in their place — out of politics, white schools, and the voting booth.

It’s a power trip pure and simple. By changing the narrative and making these things into “political issues,” they can keep progressives on the defensive and prevent laws that enforce basic rights from passing. Turning someone’s race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other factors into “political issues” drives a wedge between their base and the opposition and creates a situation where they can legislate anyone they want into oblivion.

Look at things like the Defense of Marriage act and the Stonewall riots. Look at the Chinese Exclusion Act and the history of anti-Asian bigotry. Look at the hundreds of years of history of laws enacted to prevent black folks from having rights. Oh wait, they took those bits of history out of the high school curricula, so we can’t.

Hell, look at the things that happened when Roe fell a few months ago. The second the Supreme Court struck Roe down, a dozen states immediately stripped rights from women. They didn’t even try to hide it — the second they had a chance, they moved to limit women’s rights and never looked back.

So yeah, if you’re a straight cis middle-class white guy, you can afford to stay out of politics. Just about every law and system in America is designed to cater to you, so you have very little to worry about when the government starts stripping rights from its citizens. Just don’t get angry when the people that those laws affect the most — read: the majority of American citizens — take to the streets and demand their rights.

Oh wait, that’s too political for you, isn’t it?

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If you want to read more about me griping about politics and privilege, check these out:

https://readmedium.com/young-people-follow-the-news-but-dont-enjoy-it-3269add1408c

https://readmedium.com/fantasy-roleplaying-is-not-hurting-america-but-a-loss-of-hope-is-e0b38d02beb7