Re: [UUPoly-L] Identity Polytics.

["Earth Father" <earthfather@cfnc.us>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kelly Cookson

> But again, can a person be a polyamorist (lower case P) and not be a
> Polyamorist (upper case P)? And if so, since non-poly people don't make
> caveats, is it fair to label people on a descriptive basis?

I addressed most of this issue in a previous post (which I assume you hadn't
read yet): "polyamorist" is not a common term, and it implies advocacy or
belief of some kind.

I think that most polyfolk would find their practices and orientation to be
pretty unremarkable, if it weren't for all the other folks who make remarks
about it.  :-)

If we were in a society that gave equal respect to all consensual love styles,
then there wouldn't be much to say about polyamory; people would just do
whatever they do.  I can't imagine folks who were polyamorous trying to
*convert* people who had a monogamous lovestyle.  So there isn't really a
belief system here; just an oppressed minority that would rather not be
oppressed.

We don't have a special label for folks who have detached earlobes-- some folks
got 'em, and some don't.  We don't have a special name for folks who can roll
their tongues-- some can, and some can't.  OTOH, we have strong labels for
"race" (which is a mythical concept in any case), religion, sexual and
relational orientation, etc.-- and these are all categories that have been used
to divide people, start wars, persecute and slaughter people, etc.  So
centuries from now, when people have been marrying across color lines for many
generations, and we are all "cafe con leche" (coffee with milk, as my Puerto
Rican mother would say), the concept of race can be retired, and no one will
attach any meaning or emotional charge to "Asian", "Black", "White", etc. 

As with the term "polyamory", it can't come too soon.  IMO.  YMMV.


Michael Rios

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