[trigger warning: gendered violence]
Everyone needs to read this article. I posted my two favorite bits below, but seriously you guys. Read it.
What Schwyzer and these people in my life had in common was an inability to take responsibility for their actions, a refusal to understand how and why their presence was actively detrimental to the political causes they claimed to support. Unfortunately, even when their past deeds came to light, they still had many supporters within their communities.
American society loves redemption narratives – we want to believe that someone can truly transform their life and become a better person. I don’t dispute that it’s possible, but I also think it’s important to keep in mind that abusers will always claim they’ve changed. It’s a classic and well-known aspect of how they operate, and how they manage to repeat their abuse.
….
Ultimately, it comes down to a simple question: should women who have been victims of domestic violence and emotional abuse be active members of progressive political movements, or should people with a history of abusing others be allowed the opportunity to grow and change? The latter will always come at the expense of the former. The simple reality is that as long as past abuse is downplayed, excused or ignored in activist communities, there are many people, mostly women, who will not feel comfortable being involved in political action.
So ask yourself this: which is more important to you?
(Source: gloria-swanson)
