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This is a problem that I yell about a lot and get shouted at a lot as a result: if your method of "educating" someone is to tell them to "shut the fuck up and listen to someone who knows more than your dumb ass," that person is going to seek out someone nicer to learn from.
That nicer person? In this scenario, probably a TERF. THAT is how people get groomed, you guys-- you're sniffling on a park bench after someone called you a Melvin and someone sits down next to you to commiserate. "I know, they're awful, aren't they?"
Teenagers-- ESPECIALLY queer teens and young creatives-- are EXTREMELY vulnerable to this kind of abuse. Your abuser "rescues" you from the "bullies," makes you feel good about yourself and tells you how important you are to them.
When the kid's got stars in their eyes-- "wow, an adult who actually talks to me like I matter and doesn't just tell me to fuck off!"-- then the abuse starts in the form of misinformation, gaslighting, dehumanization of Undesirables, etc.
It's so much worse than just a one-on-one toxic relationship bc once you're in, there's a huge group of other teens to hang out with and egg each other on. Not only are they afraid to talk to non-group members (shouted at), but they're constantly in danger of being
eaten by their own.
It's like fucking Mary Kay, you guys, once you recruit one or two impressionable teens to the cause, they'll start waving the banner and luring other kids, and you hardly have to do anything at all, just sit back and watch trans/queer rights shrink.
It's like fucking Mary Kay, you guys, once you recruit one or two impressionable teens to the cause, they'll start waving the banner and luring other kids, and you hardly have to do anything at all, just sit back and watch trans/queer rights shrink.
And like I keep saying, maybe it can't be YOUR job to educate shitty little kids. But SOMEONE has to, can we at least make an accessible carrd or something to throw at people?
