The justification for speaking from an identity position is that it gives some authority on the subject being discussed, right? Or is it something else?

If the argument is, 'I am Hispanic, so I have some expertise on this issue,' then other Hispanics also have expertise on this issue. The question, now put less bluntly, remains.

The question was, what is the difference between speaking from an identity position and speaking for people who share your identity? It IS a subtle distinction - so what is the distinction? If you're not trying to imply something about the people that share your identity, then what is the relevance of your identity?

I really don't think it's trolling to ask this, because I read lots of places, not just here, this kind of argument. It looks like an argument from authority, which is not really an argument.

Not to mention a lot of well meaning people miss the distinction, if any. I had a guy say to me "I can't imagine what it's like to live in fear of being raped every day." I was like 'fuck off, me either.' But he didn't make that up, some other lady told him that was the lived experience of womanhood, he just believed it.

Anyway happy Friday. I hope your party is fun.

On Friday, October 24, 2014, yar <yardenack@gmail.com> wrote:

On Fri, Oct 24, 2014 at 5:53 PM, Sonja Trauss <sonja.trauss@gmail.com> wrote:
> I just didn't want to seem aggressive or like I'm trying to troll the list
> or criticize you in public.

Replying privately with an argument is in some ways more aggressive
than replying on the list. It can make people feel cornered, makes it
harder for them to call for backup, and can potentially enable
triangulation gaslighting. Please ask for explicit permission from
people before starting private email arguments.

> But since you do - can you explain a thing I always wonder about when I read
> authoritative statements about "My Culture" -
> What should I make of Hispanics that don't agree with you - Hispanics who do
> not care who celebrates their holidays, or Hispanics who don't feel
> particularly connected to their holidays? Which one of you speaks for all
> Hispanics?

Speaking from an identity position is not the same as "I speak for
everybody who shares my identity." Missing a subtle but important
distinction like that and then haranguing somebody else over it, is
the hallmark of a well-played troll. You've been warned several times
on this list for creepy racist behavior. Please end it once and for
all. Thank you.