Friday, 22 May 2015

Survivor syndrome

The UK (which I live in) recently had a general election.

I am aware I live in a small and biased corner of it, but I was genuinely surprised when they elected a conservative government. As in... actually unsettled and taken aback. I was very off-kilter that Friday, completely... confused, I guess.

I have this little echo chamber, you see, and I'm aware it's there, but apparently not as keenly as I thought.

Sexism and misogyny are bad in my echo chamber, as is poverty and people who try to cut support to vulnerable people (poor, ill, what have you). Mental health is real, and MH prejudice is bollocks. Prejudice based on sexual orientation is practically absurd and open relationships are a valid life choice.

It's a good corner. I like it.
I mean, sort of.

The whole point of an "echo chamber" is that the real world remains the same. It's still full of prejudice against all of those things, including a handful which I personally am. So, when I interact with the world at large, I should have my expectations challenged and reset, right?

I don't really. It's starting to get a bit survivor syndrome here...
I've had one instance of being treated differently for my sexual orientation (though I haven't dated people who don't identify as male that much, to be fair). I've had... very little sexism thrown my way. The last time anyone made any sort of unwelcome suggestive comments was... maybe a decade ago, in another country? I can think of two instances of anyone ever not respecting my space.

I mean... I'm grateful... But it makes it a tiny bit confusing when I fight for specifics (wolf whistling is bad, yo) within causes I truly believe in (feminism, because equality is the best).

What am I doing wrong? Or is it right?

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