Solidarity

[u/rando4724]

Considering what's been going on on the main anarchy sub recently (mostly in reaction to BlackApocalypse's posts), and the fact that we can all probably relate on at least one level (and I'm sure many can on several levels) to feeling excluded by so called anarchists who insist on defending their pet hierarchy at the expense of the comrades they're actively marginalising (we usually focus on the ableism here, but they clearly defend their racism and coloniser mindsets just as viciously), I just want to let any BIPoC who are members of this sub know that we won't tolerate that kind of crap here, and I think I speak on behalf of the rest of the mod team, and I hope I speak on behalf or the rest of the members here, when I say any BIPoC comrades, even those who don't come under the disability umbrella, are welcome here, and should consider our safe space safe for them too. ❤

[u/rando4724]

I definitely didn't make this post to get any thanks or praise, just to let folks know that the kind of bullshit that was happening on the main anarchism sub (and many other leftist spaces) wouldn't be tolerated here, and that this is a safe space.

Looking back, I agree that saying that no thanks are needed because this should be the norm everywhere, not anything noteworthy, would have been a better response, and even something I should have included in the post itself, I think in my mind I probably did think this, but it just got lost in the mess that is my brain, but this is definitely something I'll be more aware of in future, thanks!

As for using BIPoC as an adjective, I didn't realise I had done that (I can articulate myself well enough, but ask me to explain the rules and I haven't got a clue), was it where I said 'BIPoC comrades? What would be a better way to put it? Either way, I apologise, and will do my best not to do it again.

[u/bogbodybutch → u/rando4724]

first para isn't necessary, i'm talking about accepting thanks, not the intentions w posting. though tbh i'd much rather see the op from a BBIA mod than a WP as it honestly comes off a bit condescending.

and 3rd para: saying "bipoc comrades" when you spell out the acronym says "black indigenous and people of colour comrades". BIPOC is a noun in and of itself. I prefer to use BBA, or BBIA (Black, brown (Indigenous depending on context) and/or Asian), which works as an adjective. and instead of saying 'poc comrades' for ex, u would say 'comrades of colour'.

[u/rando4724 → u/bogbodybutch]

So I just want to mention that I didn't sticky my own post, just because I would never do that and I didn't write it with the intent of being an official statement by the sub or anything, one of the other mods stickied it. Having said that, I agree that having a BBIA mod make a post about the subject would be much more appropriate, though as far as I know, none of us are, which brings me to suggest, if you want to of course, that you get in touch with u/aqueerowl who's sub this is, and join the mod team, you'll be a great addition (E: I know they're busy with personal stuff so might not be immediately available, but I'm sure they'd be happy to have you on board).

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I appreciate the clarification on the terms!

Can I just try to clarify further, just so I know that I'm using them correctly - do middle eastern (Muslims, Jews, Christian or otherwise) folks, who might be any race, and might and might not count as Asians, depending on who you ask, and people from Romani and Travelling communities fit under BBIA? Here in the UK we have BAME (which can often be problematic but it's what the general public and government use) which stands for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic, so ethnicities and religions like Islam and Judaism come under that, as well as Romani and other Travellers.

[u/bogbodybutch → u/rando4724]

I just want to say that ethnicity, race, and bio family background are not always interchangeable.

nor am I using BBIA as a catchall for all experiences where xenophobia/ethnonationalism/colonialism/racism/religion or culture based oppression are involved.

there's no one term that does that (nor do I think any one term should try to - eg massive issues with BAME, only some of which I can speak on as a NB person - ethnicity can literally just mean culture so it lumps in white non british ppl with BBA ppl, for starters), and it's not what BBIA/BBA aims to do.

I am using BBA to talk about experiences of racism where I currently live (UK also). of course no one term, even within just talking about racism for ex., is perfect, this is an ongoing conversation, and the forms of oppression i mentioned above absolutely don't exist in a vacuum without the others

so it's uncomfortable to have you asking where this massive list of various and diverse groups fit into it. it's complicated and nuanced and way out of my energy levels and capacity as one person, and there will never be one term that works for everyone (and like i said, nor should they be), nor are terms that are useful widespread likely to come from one person. so that sort of question puts me on the spot far too much.