In this episode, we take a deep dive into woke instagram. We read and analyze posts from a popular account that “dissect[s] progressive politics and social issues in graphic slideshow form”. We break down a number of neoliberal and pop political talking points about the paradox of tolerance, Karl Popper, pronouns, dysphoria, gender & sex, and free speech. We critique the “fast food” type of political diet that this instagram account represents.
We make the case for free speech, for the enduring value of the First Amendment, and talk about how anyone who is challenging the status quo is someone who needs speech rights to be protected.
We also touch on one particular area of public speech that we do consider harmful: rhetoric which implies that suicide will result from any particular action, event, or speech—or any form of suicide encouragement/suggestion in the media. We talk about ethical reporting guidelines around suicide and consider the role of this kind of rhetoric in the gender identity conversation.
The instagram account we look at: https://www.instagram.com/soyouwanttotalkabout/
The post about the paradox of intolerance: https://www.instagram.com/p/CH-eV_nnPLs/
The post about trans allyship: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJEAlbVFmsh/
more links:
“Karl Popper, Free Speech and the Paradox of Tolerance” by Mark White: https://www.plebity.org/conversations/karl-popper-free-speech-paradox-of-tolerance
“‘It’s Binding or Suicide’: Transgender and Non-Binary Readers Share Their Experiences With Chest Binders”: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/reader-center/chest-binding.html
WoLF Media Style Guide on reporting on sex and gender & LGBT issues: https://www.womensliberationfront.org/news/wolf-media-style-guide
Don’t forget to read MK’s corresponding column on 4W! https://4w.pub/tag/identity-crisis/
Identity Crisis is a weekly column and podcast for young people struggling with the modern orthodoxy of gender identity ideology—developed in collaboration between Plebity and 4W by Sasha White and M.K. Fain. New episodes every Monday!
Click here to learn more and get updates: https://www.identitycrisis.xyz/get-updates
