bigotry

Every kind of people…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

In case anyone hadn’t noticed I am Scottish. I’m also supporter of independence, an SNP voter & a big fan of Nicola Sturgeon. I’m proud of her achievements and the kind of society she fought for. I am deeply saddened that she will no longer lead us.

Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament

In the wake of her resignation I am also alarmed. Some of the candidates who have stepped into the leadership race are frankly terrifying.

Ash Regan who resigned her ministerial position in protest of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill has gone on record that she will not fight the Westminster blocks. For a person running on independence first this seems contrary. Her subsequent cosying with a intolerant indie factions like Alba confirm for me that she is does not represent the values I seek in a leader. Add to that her statements with regards to Green partnerships, which risk the loss of their support and I am certain Regan is not the one.

Kate Forbes similarly opposes gender recognition reform and has also expressed extremely troubling views. She has publicly stated that she would have voted against gay marriage & has been very open about her anti choice views. Including speaking at an anti choice event organised by Brian Souter (a prominent anti choice & anti LGBTQ+ activist). In my opinion she is also currently leaving herself a lot of room with her statements regarding buffer zones. The SNP aims to be a progressive political party who champion the rights of all. A person who clearly does not support reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights cannot be our First Minister.

What’s more wishing to exclude Kate Forbes on that basis is not an infringement of her religious freedoms. Much has been made of Forbes’ faith, her right to worship how she pleases and not be punished in public life for doing so. I call bullshit. The origin of her intolerance is irrelevant. She has every right to express her religious views and the rest of us have the right to object to them. Religion is not a bigotry get out of free card.

The truth is I want Sturgeon. I trust and respect her. Since I can’t have my first pick I think I should at least be able to have someone who is willing to uphold the rights of all. Neither Kate Forbes or Ash Regan have given me reason to believe they will do that.

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Things that make me go…eeewww

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Sometimes the world is bustling with things you love. Other, it keeps thrusting annoyance in one’s path. My current sphere is veering towards the latter.

The hype around the new Ivy Park x Adidas was as big any Beyoncé project gathers. The sizing was more than a little disappointing. It’s frustrating to see someone who gains much aplomb for her nods to body diversity fall down when it comes to her own product lines. Fat folk were, yet again, an afterthought. With small fats squeezing into a later release & everyone else ignored; only girls of a certain size run Bey’s world.

Khloe Kardashian tweet promoting flat tommy shakes

Sticking with the celebrity field (if slightly less A list) is the continued promotion of weight loss crap. Khloe Kardashian springs to mind as a repeat offender. Despite having more money than anyone could ever need, she’s still punting flat tummy shakes to her fans. A huge portion of which are young women & girls. Shame also spreads to homegrown reality celebs. With Lauren Goodger & others agreeing to promote a product containing the fatal ingredient, cyanide. She was caught on camera saying you didn’t have to actually use the products to promote them. None of the influencers involved in the BBC reportage recognised or checked how dangerous the ingredient was. Again, much of base they ‘influence’ are young people. It’s gross that people with a platform are happy to push products that are damaging to mind & body. The greed really does make me go eeeww.

In a less contentious space is the return of some fashion horrors from my youth. Foremost of my objections are hairbands. I really cannot stand those big, thick padded head bands. They conjour two unpleasant 80’s associations; sloanes & teacher’s pet. Both of whom proudly wore those clunky accessories. I’m sorry, they are just not cool.

Black diamanté hair band & red pearl hair band

It will come as no surprise to you that I’m not enjoying current wave of internalised misogyny. Almost nothing is more stomach churning that women shitting on other women. I am aware this is far from a new phenomena, but the relish with which its whipping around it vile. As my more progressive sisters advance an intersectional agenda the less enlightened are pushing back. They’re fighting with mean attacks on real issues like period poverty and trans rights. When I see a privileged woman deploying an I had to suffer once so you can too argument, it makes me nauseous. Turn it up to the full on bigotry of transphobia & I’m boaking. Rich white women need to do better. Much, much better.

Next on the fashion nope radar is another relic from my past. The return of chunky 90’s footwear is not pleasing. I hated spice girl trainers & rubber block heels when I was 15. My opinion has not changed. I loved so much of the 90’s, but these heavy hunks are not amongst them.