May 12, 2015
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I”m sure you get the unintentional humor of her calling me “entitled” and “privileged” while simultaneously declaring that she’s “way above me.” Damn Injun privilege! But in truth I found her stridency engaging. She’s a good spokesperson for the rising Latina/Hispanic/Chicana/Indigenous/Indian bullying class. And from now on I”m using “wombyn” every chance I get.
And although I wish I”d gotten a response from anti-“guac” activist Dani Marrero, I did find something of great value on her blog. This person who makes it her mission in life to tell others what to think and say wrote a poem expressing anger at people who try to tell her what to think and say:
Gasoline or Fire from My Mouth
I am tired of trying to be beautiful.Ӭ
Tired of rethinking and rephrasing my wordsӬ
To please stubborn minds and shallow hearts.Ӭ
I can”t remember the last time I spoke without fear to be disliked.”¨
If I”ve spent my life censoring my feelings,”¨
Does anyone really know me?
ҬIf I spend the rest of my life this wayӬ
Changing strong words to avoid seeming radicalӬ
Toning down my sex to avoid seeming radicalӬ
Would I have ever really existed or lived?
It’s natural to wonder about the contradiction, how someone who lectures people about “rethinking and rephrasing” their words can complain so self-righteously when it’s done to her. Sure, it’s standard-issue leftist hypocrisy, but I think we can also find some guidance from April Negrette’s scolding. These people see themselves as being “way above us.” If we attempt to question them, it’s an affront to our betters. But when they harangue us, it’s wisdom from on high.
Still and all, Marrero’s poem is insightful, even if in a way she never intended. And if I can glean one thing from her op-ed and site, it’s that she loves it when “white folks” co-opt the product of “brown folks.” So I hereby co-opt that verse, to be used as my own personal ode against political correctness and the thought police.
I”m sure Ms. Marrero will be honored by the gesture.
