General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "I Am Not Trayvon Martin" - powerful message from a 'middle class white girl' [View all]Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)whatever being put forward and then watch who hollers. Those who holler usually do so because there is a point made that hit home. I believe she hit that point when she pointed out in her way that t-shirts and other things are not enough.
She is questioning those who have ideas about how much they really understand about other lives. Some people believe that their social action gives them a complete understanding of others. Nobody ever undertands what it is actually like to be another person. Too many times the actions taken conform to what people think they know about others.
If she makes some people holler, good! Then they need to try to understand why, and I believe that means looking beyond the t-shirt issue.
You have asked if her argument is useful, regardless of its validity That last phrase neatly dismisses her argument. That sums up what is wrong with some social movements. Many people either can't or won't look beneath the surface which requires a deep look at themselves.
Doing the best you can to understand as much about yourself as possible is a must if you ever really want to even get close to understanding others.