March 5, 2011

• Fearless

  I know I'm less shy than I used to be, but I didn't know I had such an attitude. It's actually quite fun, especially when pointing out BS arguments from your prof to his face, in front of the class. I don't think anyone expected that from a Little Asian Girl - but then neither did I!

  I remember back when I came out as an activist on Xanga. It was only a couple months ago, and even then I held my breath, I was tentative. And now I'm a declared feminist both on facebook and twitter.  

  It wasn't as simple as that of course; there were lots of right-wing people to take down along the way. The Old World won't give up power, won't go down without a fight. In the past I always avoided confrontation, but when these 20-something machismos go out of their way to tell me that racism is a figment of my imagination, seal-hunting is an economic accomplishment, and feminists are man-hating dykes, it's hard to be afraid of people who have such insulated ways of thinking. 

  I don't win many arguments IRL because I'm not that quick on my feet, but online I've never lost. I fought my way out of the closet, and that only made me stronger. I do hours and hours of research sometimes to respond to the most stupid, thoughtless comments because this isn't about smacking down the opposition - it's about empowering myself with information that will save the world. By trying to make me shut up about animal suffering and social injustice, they created for themselves a more powerful enemy.

  Suddenly, I've been getting comments like these, from friends and from complete strangers:

  

  And then I realized that I'm not here to speak out against a barren world of ignorance and apathy - I am only giving voice to thoughts that everyone else is already thinking. I am not alone, I am not the only one. And we will win the war together.

  • 5:31 am
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