KalamaQueer

Why Your Racist Jokes Aren’t Funny

Someone very close to me recently said “Stereotypes are fine as long as you realize that they’re just a generalization and don’t apply to everyone in that group.” It was incredibly disappointing to hear this come from someone I love because its so backwards. Stereotyping is wrong because it over generalizes an entire group of people based on the bad behavior of very few individuals in that group. They’re usually behaviors that can apply to any culture of people but because we’ve stereotyped just one specific group, they all have to live with the negative image. 

Lately I’ve also been asked “well if gay people can use the word faggot, why can’t I?” I think this applies to any negative word that a group of people have reclaimed. And the answer is obvious, we can use it because we’ve turned it into a positive and when you  use it, you’re using it to cut us down. Although I am not personally offended by gay slurs, many queer people are and its their right to be. Just as someone of a certain race has every right to be offended by a racial slur when its used to cut them down. That’s why if you aren’t a faggot, you should use the word faggot. Its not yours to use. 

The same should go for racial jokes or jokes about sexuality. A gay person can make gay jokes, a black person can make black jokes, an Asian person can make Asian jokes because its their culture to make fun of. It belongs to them. They live in it, they  have the perspective to make those jokes and you can laugh along with them but  its not your right to make a racist joke about a culture that isn’t yours. When you make jokes about a culture that isn’t yours, its offensive because you’re basing it off of negative stereotypes that society perpetuates. 

So stop preserving these negative images of cultures that don’t belong to you. Stick with the jokes that you can actually make. Women can make women jokes, gay people can make gay jokes, and straight, white, ciss, males can make straight, white, ciss jokes. 

Educate yourself first and you’ll realize that stereotypes aren’t based in reality. 

posted by Colette

Anonymous asked: I’ve always been taught not to see color or race. I’ve never understood why our institutions of learning divide us by culture and race. History of America from an African perspective. History in America from a Mexican perspective. Entrance into college based on racial quotas. End all this crap right now. Quit dividing us.

peachesandpussy:

yoisthisracist:

Yo, I know you’re mad stupid and whatnot, but you do understand that “not seeing race” is really only something that you have the luxury of doing if you’re White, right? The rest of us get race seen upon us all the goddamn time.

^ Thank you. Its hard to “not see race” when you’re continuously underprivileged (which is an understatement) because of your skin color. Asshole. 

Helping a Loved One Through and Anxiety Attack

Its common knowledge that many people in the LGBTQ* community suffer from some form of mental illness. An increasingly common one is social anxiety (or even just anxiety that can be triggered by multiple things). It is important to know how to react and take care of a loved one if an anxiety or panic attack sets in. 

Step one: talk to your loved one about what they need to happen if they begin to lose control. Do they have any medications that they need to take? Is there a specific food or beverage that they need made for them to calm down? Do they need someone to stand by them during the panic or do they need to be left alone? Where do they need you to bring them and do for them so they can calm down?

Step two: Learn the signs of their attacks. It is easy to tell when someone starts to lose control if you know their triggers and their behavior patterns at the start of a panic attack. 

Step three: Get them home as quickly as possible. If they are able to speak openly, listen to what they need at that moment. Get it done as quickly and as calmly as possible. If they are not able to speak, you have to take control. Avoid smothering them. Don’t hug them or ask questions because that will make it worse. 

Step four: Get them some place dark and cool. Continue to listen to what they need without asking questions. Do not ask what is wrong. If they have totally lost control, get them out of their clothes and into someplace comfortable (like bed). Cover them with a light blanket but make sure there are more available for them. 

Step five: make sure they take the medication they need to take (many people have a quick acting xanax that they use). Keep listening to what they need. Make them some tea and something they typically like to eat and bring it to them just so its there. 

Step six: leave them alone. They will call you if they need you and you can check on them periodically but do not talk to them or ask whats wrong. All they need is someone to help them get to a safe spot. They don’t need to talk. Talking will increase their anxiety. 

Step seven: when its over, do not ask what was wrong. You can acknowledge it. Hug them and tell them you’re glad they are safe. Do not patronize them. Making them feel like they are crazy or need to be taken care of is demeaning.  They just need someone supportive. 

They will talk to you in there own time. Wait for them to bring up what was wrong. Above all remember to listen to their needs and body language. Do not smother them because they need time for themselves. During an anxiety attack, your only job is to get them to a safe spot, get them their medications and whatever calms them down, and leave them alone unless they ask you otherwise. 

Posted by Colette