Thursday, May 29, 2014

This Open Letter to Liberals and Progressives

Dear Liberals and Progressives,

I want you to know that I think it's a very good idea to bring attention to the issues of misogyny, rape culture, still-present racism, class warfare, equal pay, and many other problems we still face today. As our nation and world moves forward into the 21st century, we need to understand that these issues don't just go away if we decide ignore it. We still have some big fights on our hands, and that's what I want to talk to you about.

You need to stop talking about the Duke Lacrosse case. Immediately.

I know that a lot of you immediately latched onto the story back in 2006. The story of the black stripper who was allegedly gang-raped by the Duke Lacrosse team had everything: sex, race, class, privilege. It seemed like a clear-cut case of white, male privilege run amok. It was a rallying cry to bring attention to the plight of rape victims on college campuses. (An issue that is still very relevant today.) It was also a chance to take a look at the continued mistreatment of black females in our culture. (Also still relevant today.)

Sunday, May 4, 2014

This Open Letter to the Clerk I Berated

Dear Clerk I Berated,

I get that you were just doing your job when you said have a nice day. You didn't realize that you were actually oppressing me. But that's what you were doing. By refusing to validate my sacred holiday, you metaphorically slapped me in the face. And I won't stand for that. Today is not just a "Good Day" or a "Happy Holiday." No, today is May the 4th. National Star Wars Day.

So no, I didn't let it pass. Your ignorance of the ways of my people is simply intolerable. In this day and age, you should know better than to assume that this days is just another day. No, this day is the day in which I and many other fans of Star Wars celebrate the fact that your lives have never been the same since the writings of our sacred text first appeared in the stars: "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."