Knowledge is power. Every dictator and fascist regime knows it. Books aren’t publicly burned because the populace is trying to stay warm. Universities aren’t taken over because the government thinks they’re failing. News doesn’t become propaganda because reporters are tired of chasing down stories.
For any leader wanting to suppress a country or marginalize a particular segment of society, the less people know, the better. An idea I’m not sure people are taking seriously after years of absurdity in the political sphere. While rolling our eyes feels like the right response every time a Trump rally attendee spouts some nonsense, we should be alarmed they believe—with conviction—whatever “alternative facts” they are sharing.
Unfortunately, we shouldn’t be surprised by any of this. I think the dumbing down of America has been happening since George W. ascended to the presidency. That was the first time I remember hearing the sentiment that reading the newspaper or attending college was elitist, even though the ones saying this often were graduates of those elite institutions.
Yet somehow, the idea that we shouldn’t try and educate ourselves stuck in people’s psyche. Just listen to what we tell you and accept that as the truth.
Fast forward 25 years and here we are. Where science is less about facts and more about fiction. Where some news outlets are more concerned with presidential propaganda than reporting the news. Where people are unwilling to listen to anything except their own viewpoint.
Which leaves the queer community in a precarious position—where less knowledge does not equal better. Educating ourselves is going to be critical unless we want to be run over.
And I know the start of this year has been overwhelming. I feel that every day and hear that from friends. But we must pay attention and understand what is happening around us. I was at dinner the other night and heard one of the people at the table mention they don’t watch the news. To me, that’s the equivalent of putting your fingers in your ears and pretending you didn’t hear anything.
Plead absolute ignorance on the issues. Pretend like what’s happening doesn’t affect you and see how far you get.
I’m a cis gay man. Transgender rights have nothing to do with me.
Sure, my straight friends and family vote against my interests every election by voting Republican, but they like me, so that’s okay.
Hopefully you can still feign shock when the government decides your rights are next.
But we also must take responsibility for educating others. If no one is actively pushing back, then we end up with school districts wasting time and effort sending out emails that no, there are no litter boxes in classrooms and students aren’t dressing up as furries and grooming themselves in class. That parents aren’t having doctors lop off their transgender kids’ genitals. (A conversation I had to have.) That drag queens aren’t grooming children—but your local youth minister might be.
The queer community is in a place where we cannot act as if what’s happening around us has no effect on who we are, on how we live, and even where we live and work. We don’t have the privilege of pleading ignorance. The less we know isn’t better. We have to educate ourselves—and the people around us. Lest we find ourselves living back in the closet, stripped of the rights the people before us worked so hard to gain, and fighting the same fight again.
