Knowing when to step in and when to shut up is constantly fraught. I'm a cis white dude but sometimes I feel a strong conviction that it's time to jump in and start swinging to defend trans people, and other times I'm like "Shit this is not my time or place to speak". and I'm never 100% sure. The stakes are usually pretty low, but mentally it keeps me on my toes. I see so many comments from marginalized people about mouthy white guys who don't know there place, and I don't want to be that guy but I also don't want to let things slide out of complacency.
There's seldom a 100% way to be sure it's your time to speak. I'm also a straight cis white guy. I usually take the stance that I'll say something if no one else is speaking up because maybe the marginalized people don't feel safe speaking on the issue. If someone else has spoken who's closer to the issue I'll just back them up. If it's something I'm less sure of I'll say "that sounds kind of (whatever style of reactionary), probably don't say it." and back down if I get pushback from more affected groups.
Knowing when to step in and when to shut up is constantly fraught. I'm a cis white dude but sometimes I feel a strong conviction that it's time to jump in and start swinging to defend trans people, and other times I'm like "Shit this is not my time or place to speak". and I'm never 100% sure. The stakes are usually pretty low, but mentally it keeps me on my toes. I see so many comments from marginalized people about mouthy white guys who don't know there place, and I don't want to be that guy but I also don't want to let things slide out of complacency.
i mean if it actually comes down to swinging, i dont think any trans person will judge you lol
There's seldom a 100% way to be sure it's your time to speak. I'm also a straight cis white guy. I usually take the stance that I'll say something if no one else is speaking up because maybe the marginalized people don't feel safe speaking on the issue. If someone else has spoken who's closer to the issue I'll just back them up. If it's something I'm less sure of I'll say "that sounds kind of (whatever style of reactionary), probably don't say it." and back down if I get pushback from more affected groups.