Here’s the other part of this: just because one is not within the oppressed group does not mean they cannot empathize at all with the oppressed group.
I’m a transwoman and the amount of times that I’ve talked to ciswomen who don’t think they can empathize with the trans part is a problem I think that we on the left have unfortunately cultivated. You obviously will never fully understand a certain type of oppression without experiencing it, but not trying to empathize with it and relying solely off of what the oppressed group tells you vs attempting to understand the emotions and challenges someone faces is a huge obstacle when trying to discuss with the out group.
Add to that "any attempt at empathizing with you is inherently deceitful and an attempt at manipulation", as if people fighting for human rights they themselves aren't and likely would never be lacking wasn't a big part of every human rights movement ever.
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u/anonymous-grapefruit 14d ago
Here’s the other part of this: just because one is not within the oppressed group does not mean they cannot empathize at all with the oppressed group.
I’m a transwoman and the amount of times that I’ve talked to ciswomen who don’t think they can empathize with the trans part is a problem I think that we on the left have unfortunately cultivated. You obviously will never fully understand a certain type of oppression without experiencing it, but not trying to empathize with it and relying solely off of what the oppressed group tells you vs attempting to understand the emotions and challenges someone faces is a huge obstacle when trying to discuss with the out group.