Steve QJ
1 min readJul 19, 2023

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I'm very uncomfortable with the term "ally," especially in social justice contexts, because what it usually amounts to is blindly defending one position or another. I'd much rather people felt beholden only to their principles and their morals and their ability to think critically. Instead of some sense of loyalty to the talking points of a group.

So it's not that I'm disapproving of your comment, it's just that it doesn't seem very well thought through. Using two fictional characters as a basis for an opinion about trans inmates seems less than useless, no? No offence intended, it's just I'm sure you wouldn't use a character from The Wire as a basis for a discussion about the criminal justice system or Game of Thrones as a basis for historical attitudes on incest.

As for your comments about the "resolve to insist that they fit in", this seems to ignore the people who don't think they fit in. And I think there are times when these people's needs should also be considered. I don't think insisting that the world works as you wish is always commendable. The way you phrased your comment makes it seem that you do.

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Steve QJ
Steve QJ

Written by Steve QJ

Race. Politics. Culture. Sometimes other things. Almost always polite. Find more at https://steveqj.substack.com

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