i truly think that this recent trend of āif you relate to a post about a different identity than your own you are ~derailing~ and taking over the conversationā is incredibly harmful.
i recently experienced some pretty severe transphobic abuse in my workplace (childrenās home) that included having food thrown at me, being called slurs, being told i was a pervert because i am trans. one of the managers talked with me afterwards and shared that he had had a similar experience as an Asian man. this wasnāt him derailing my experience, or talking over me, or making things about himself. he was communicating āhey, i know how it feels and how much it sucks. youāre not alone.ā
THAT is what solidarity IS. i donāt know what itās like to be Asian, he doesnt know what itās like to be trans, but we both had a similar experience and we were able to turn a horrible experience into an opportunity for bonding and comfort.
stop looking at peopleās attempts as solidarity as an attack. and hey, you never know - you could find an opportunity to grow closer to other people.


















