Snowflake: a word that has been used by conservatives of late to attempt to belittle and dis-empower (or gaslight, if you will) people of any sensitivity, any feeling. I wonder if it is also wishfully thinking such people into melting away...but that’s not gonna happen.
I like John Cleese’s take on the derogatory use of “Snowflake”:
And he is right! The thing is, people of feeling also have senses of humor — and they are quite willing to take the word back — and laugh about it, too. The #secondcivilwarletters were peppered with references to “Snowflake Regiment” and the like. Sometimes what was intended as a slur can elevate into something like a badge of honor if handled with a light touch.
Thing is, bullies and sociopaths too often depend upon the “niceness” of polite society to get away with bad behavior. Rules of civility are for other people, right? Do something reprehensible, and when decent people get riled about it, throw it back in their teeth that they are not being civil. But there comes a point where boundaries must be drawn if any decency is to be preserved. We are there now. As a result, Administration apparachiks will henceforth have a hard time getting a meal in any nice restaurant in or around DC without push back and/or public shaming for their behavior and acts — not even for take out sushi, apparently.
The “snowflake” pejorative has been much used against young people, the generation who has had enough of of gun violence and the indecency of the NRA — brave young people today such as Emma Gonzales and David Hogg who are standing in their truth and they will not be melting away. Period. They have a lot to teach all of us. I, for one, am so glad for their example.
The artificial division of people, “othering” them, with insults (or far worse) needs defanging as America continues to take a long, hard, painful look at its shadow side, a shadow comprised of so many deeply detrimental “isms” that have been with us, always (racism, sexism, etc.). Taking back a slur when you can can help a bit. There is less poison in the polity that way.
“Snowflake” is not the only term that needs to be reclaimed. “Nasty Woman” is another, coined to dis-empower women in politics. Accordingly, a Resistance group here in Portland, OR is called Nasty Women Get S**t Done PDX. They are responsible for these wonderful yard signs, seen everywhere in Portland:
This is the group's Mission Statement:
Nasty Women Get Shit Done PDX (NWGSDPDX) emerged in response to the 2016 presidential election results, when a group of women in Portland, Oregon gathered together to brainstorm ways to help their community and to actively resist the xenophobia, racism, misogyny, ableism, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, anti-Earth platform and policies of the new administration. Our group strives to listen, learn and take the lead from people within marginalized and targeted groups. We seek to understand the role of our own power and privilege in building a united and intersectional resistance. Our meetings include an educational component so that we can continue to learn ways to be allies within our community.
Mission Statement:To support an era of activism, democracy, and progressive politics in which we advocate for social, financial, and environmental justice.
But since this is Friday and also Happy Hour for some, there is an announcement about this flag sign! Next week, it is going to start appearing on cans of Cascadia Cider. The power of words is awesome, even on a recyclable can.
I think we may have found the official tipple of the Snowflake Regiment in the what is becoming the battle for civilization. Now they just need a soft version, a flavored water, perhaps? Cheers!
The weekend begins now. Please come in, be comfortable, share your day, your weekend plans, your menus! This is an open thread.
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with readers of Daily Kos who aren’t throwing pies at one another. Drop by and tell us about your weather, your garden, or what you cooked for supper. Newcomers may notice that many who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but we welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.