Thank you for these really interesting ideas, EB—and the very kind words! I’m thrilled to have an anthropologist reading and weighing in. Absolutely delighted to have your thoughts and input, so thank you for reading and commenting!
I think you’ve identified something so important:
“we have two theories of gender floating around on the left. There is the notion of gender as a purely social construct that underpins systemic oppression (a notion that has now crept to include sex itself as well), an…
Very very weird politics indeed.
I’ve heard it floated elsewhere that as our culture has become more open and inclusive, progressives have had to struggle harder and harder to find things to be outraged about, or social justice issues to fight for, until as you said, yes, the very existence of a mainstream is the offense.
Having two legs is able-bodied privilege. Not having distress about your body is cis privilege. And those of us with two legs and no gender distress are somehow ... almost culpa…