The Matrix that is Oppression
So I understand the argument that someone shouldn’t be all praised if they say they’re an ally/feminist/anti-racist/etc. One shouldn’t be praised for being a good person; it should be the expectation.
On the other hand, I do feel happy when people manage to escape/finally think critically about all the sexist/racist/ableist/homophobic/trans-phobic/cis-centric/etc. bullshit out there. Like, “Congratulations! You just escaped the Matrix!”
It pretty much is like the Matrix, though. It’s everywhere; it reinforces our way of life, thinking, and being. It’s so subtle that it goes unnoticed to some, but it’s so obvious to others that we’re baffled as to why people can’t see it clearly. It can also be pretty hard to get out of, and attempts to do so are sometimes me with everything everywhere telling you that you’re wrong, leading to self-doubt.
Of course, escaping the Oppression Matrix comes with the gruel they serve on The Nebuchadnezzar (i.e., the frustration of dealing with people who don’t think like you), but still.
