Thread by @profragsdale

I think we need to have a little talk about respectability politics - sometimes appearing as conversations about "civility"

There's a deep connection to civility and civilized, usually a meaning about how manners for treating others are defined by an oppressive group who claims the other is u civilized and needs to be dominated -- see history of colonialism and manifest destiny please

This is problematic in itself bcuz supposedly civilized colonists used human rights violations and European cultural values as their model for what was civilized as the conquered group after group

This idea that the oppressors are the only ones who can define civility and respectability is part of the process of creating and maintaining white elite supremacy -- and it ignores the obvious truth that oppression is not polite.

Human rights aren't for those who act the way oppressors want -- they are for humans. That's why they are called human rights.

And trying to act respectable and "civil" doesn't get the oppressed groups any safety or freedom - it's just a story to try to coerce people into acting the way the oppressors want them to

And trying to play those respectability politics is actually toxic for people --> Respectability politics are making black Americans sick qz.com/663520 via @qz

Respectability politics also turns into a way to blame victims --> 5 Ways ‘Respectability Politics’ Blame Black Women for Their Own Oppression everydayfeminism.com/2015/11/respec…

History and context matter -> 'Respectability will not save us: Black Lives Matter is right to reject the “dignity and decorum” mandate handed down to us from slavery' salon.com/2015/08/25/res…

One more time: Respectability politics won't save the lives of black Americans | Zach Stafford theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

You can do everything “right” in America, but if you’re black, racism will always pose a threat to your life -> On the Death of Jonathan Ferrell via @thenation thenation.com/article/respec…

Why We Need to Work Against the Fallacy of Black Respectability forharriet.com/2015/08/why-we… #WhatWeCanDo #HowToAlly

Wrestling with Respectability in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter: A Dialogue forharriet.com/2015/10/wrestl…

That's why many are calling for and claiming their right to --> The End of Black Respectability Politics talkingpointsmemo.com/theslice/the-e… via @TPM

So ... now you know. Stop tolerating conversation around you that blames oppression on victims and their lack of proper respect to a system that is pitted against them. Check some folks. You have the links. ^^^

The Red Hen Affair: Demands for 'civility' are almost always aimed at shutting down free speech latimes.com/business/hiltz…

And also ... Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Red Hen Restaurant, and Who Deserves a Place at the Table newyorker.com/culture/cultur… #SoJustCivil

Where Does The 'Pull Up Your Pants' School Of Black Politics Come From? n.pr/1LpEAnb #SoJustCivil #Civility #RespectabilityPolitics