Safety Pins

[elainegrey]

So, i am wearing a safety pin out of solidarity with others who feel threatened by the rhetoric surrounding the election of Trump. What i am seeing is a bunch of accusations that it's being done bt lazy white people.

Now, mayhaps i am particularly sensitized to the breadth of at-risk given NC's HB2 targeting of transgendered folks -- that continued through the whole campaign.

Have i missed something that says safety pins are just about race? Because i wear one for race and gender presentation and immigrant status and LGBTQ identity and religion (particularly for my Muslim kin) and for the environment.... And i'm feeling a little... piqued ... at some of the discussion around https://www.safetypinbox.com/ .

Comments

[sonia]

I think it's one of those "not all white people" things. You walk your talk in all the realms you mentioned, where lots of white folks don't do the introspective and out-in-the-world work.

I thought about wearing a safety pin, and I decided not to because I want to be able to choose my battles, evaluate where I can usefully intervene and where I don't have anything to add. At the same time, I do see the value of silently saying, "There is resistance. There are allies for marginalized folks." Also I live in a blue city, which changes the calculations a lot.

A year ago or so, I saw police harassing a homeless person, and I didn't step in or video from a distance or take any action. I am both ashamed of that, and very clear that that's not a battle I could take on.

[arlie]

I don't think you've missed anything. If some people are claiming that safety pins are all about their particular minority, it's just yet another example of the way the oppressed frequently fight with each other, rather than uniting against common oppression. Or even more likely, it's just them being human - that is, self centered and unable/unwilling to see other people's points of view. It's easier to see the oppression that affects you; harder to see whatever privilege you have.

[zlabya]

I agree with both your friends who commented previously on their take on how wearing a safety pin is perceived and interpreted. I clearly read in multiple articles that it was a sign that you would "stand with" and "protect" any vulnerable person--whether they are considered vulnerable because of their (apparent) gender, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

I have seen very few people wear them--one friend at a convention (just about the safest space I could think of; very ethnic/sexual orientation/gender identity/etc. welcoming) and maybe one other. A neighbor was giving away big ones so I pinned one on my purse (as I have it with me just about any time I'd be in a group).

Still don't know how far I'd intervene or what I'd do. I'm ambivalent about it as I tend to be a bit timid about confrontation. Was thinking about digging up my "Peace, Salaam, Shalom" pin to wear instead to make my values a bit clearer and say less about my possible levels of intervention. Although either a pin or a button makes me vulnerable (in addition to simply being a woman).

So much to consider...