Self Flagellation Is Not A Way To End Oppression

I don’t care how bad you feel about patriarchy or homophobia or whatever.

Your hair shirt won’t help me.  Your self effacing jokes won’t help me.  Your asceticism and self punishment are not my liberation.

I don’t need you to hurt as much as I do.  I need you to help me stop getting hurt.

Don’t perform your pain for me as if somehow your suffering lessens mine.  Help me.

Your self loathing will not save me from society’s injustice.  Stop crying and help me up.