Read on Twitter
Recently I learnt that a well known local activist is physically abusive towards women. Later confirmed by several others. I have since ceased all contact with this person but it’s not possible to confront him publicly or privately w/o compromising his victims.
A while back the same happened with a local queer activist. Two of her former partners (who don’t know each other) confided in me about intimate partner violence they faced from her. Again, it’s not possible to confront her because the victims are scared.
The other thing I’m learning is that a lot of what I’m getting to know only recently are already circulating in whisper circles or even openly known among activists who are connected socially. For years. And yet they continue to work with abusers and stay friends.
Variations of “you know how Colombo is” is the response by the few activists, including feminists, I have talked to about direct and indirect ways abusers are protected within various circles. Circles of activists, journalists, lawyers, academics, artists, etc. Mostly this 
https://twitter.com/shuvi/status/1286687677807357952
https://twitter.com/shuvi/status/1286687677807357952
So when people ask why there are no moments similar to #MeToo 
in Sri Lanka, a key reason is because many people who fought for gender-based violence to be recognized as a systemic issue are not willing to dismantle systems and structures they are part of that protect abusers.
in Sri Lanka, a key reason is because many people who fought for gender-based violence to be recognized as a systemic issue are not willing to dismantle systems and structures they are part of that protect abusers.
I don’t think we need to replicate #MeToo (some attempts to have such a moment in the past are recorded at #MeTooSriLanka). But victims/survivors will never feel safe to come forward as long as the social currency and professional clout of abusers are maintained and strengthened.
(some attempts to have such a moment in the past are recorded at #MeTooSriLanka). But victims/survivors will never feel safe to come forward as long as the social currency and professional clout of abusers are maintained and strengthened.
There are very valid critiques of #MeToo and similar moments in terms of who gets included in them, who is excluded, who gets to speak up and who doesn’t. Which is exactly why we need to see accountability in activist praxis so that we gain courage to create our own moments.
and similar moments in terms of who gets included in them, who is excluded, who gets to speak up and who doesn’t. Which is exactly why we need to see accountability in activist praxis so that we gain courage to create our own moments.
Adding to the thread a part of this that M and I have discussed before too. Protecting and/or confronting abusers is determined by how much power we hold in relation to them and how much power we hold within movements and institutions. https://twitter.com/elliiipses/status/1287678986881921025?s=21 https://twitter.com/elliiipses/status/1287678986881921025
I see a lot of people liking and sharing the thread and I hope we can all use what we are feeling as an opportunity to reflect on the power dynamics in our lives. Which relationships are within our control, which relationships are not, who can support us to navigate them, etc.
Basically, how do we move to a more complex analysis of this issue than “that’s just how things are in Colombo”? If we are directly or indirectly protecting abusers, can we do the uncomfortable work of clarifying to ourselves why we do it and what is/is not within our control?
A number of people reached out to ask if this was so and so. Many were naming the person I was referring to and others weren't. Both are a sad confirmation of what is discussed in the thread and how hopeless things seem within our orgs and movements. https://twitter.com/sachp/status/1287615986296905728?s=20
This came up a lot and I agree. There's no playbook and we have to figure this out. The inner circles of (Colombo) civil society who hold the most power and are connected through family, friendship, school, etc. should start with those connections: https://twitter.com/Mari_deSilva/status/1287721130925711362?s=20
Community is the bedrock of activism and it makes complete sense this is how movements have started, evolved and sustained, with overlaps in personal, private and public domains. Our activism can't be cleanly demarcated into these domains. Nor can our accountability.
There isn't one way of practicing accountability of course but here's one thing I've learnt from those I've listened to. People are scared to speak up because they think allegiances in these circles can't be broken and that they won't be believed. https://twitter.com/sachp/status/1287615992303099904?s=20
Can we make it clear if our allegiances are permanent or not? And be clear we can be approached if ppl close to us are abusers, harassers, etc. While mindful there's a lot of work involved in getting to a point where we can do that + what we can/will do if ppl do approach us.
