(en) Federation of German anarchists (FdA-IFA) - Basic text on discrimination and heterosexism (de )

THE DISCRIMINATION OPPOSE! -- Everything Nazis or what? ---- We are against the protests 
against the education plan. But why? ---- Several previous reports (article at the bottom 
left) stiffened on the theme of Neo-Nazis at the demonstrators against the training plan. 
Here we consider a more differentiated view is necessary. Although neo-Nazis find clear 
starting points, but are not the initiator * inside and do not represent the majority of 
participants * inside of the protests. * Participants are recruited internally rather from 
the entire spectrum of conservative and reactionary: Christian fundamentalists, PI News 1 
, Conservative action, AFD, etc. Also, the Russian Orthodox church appears to play a 
relevant role. . In our opinion, heterosexism and homophobia, a central drive for the 
protests of the education plan opponents * inside, even if they deny it and "only about 
the welfare of their children concerned are"

Here there is always the danger: If our criticism too much on individual actor aims * 
inside, you are the rest of the protesters the room, content to distance themselves from 
that actor * inside and to play their "concerned parents" charade continues.

In order to counter at this point we will hereafter fundamentally with the social 
mechanisms behind the training plan opponents * are inside, grapple.

We would like to go back a little and put the ever takes place under conscious 
categorization of human perception in the context of social forms of discrimination. We 
explain the tags heteronormativity and heterosexism. We first want to pick up * inside the 
building on discrimination by the education plan opponents.

Are we neutral?
We people from western Europe keep us happy for informed and objective. Whatever we do in 
our everyday life when we walk through the streets and other people perceive, in 
television, in the movies ... - everywhere we see other people or get in touch with them, 
we take one of us that we live in a relative impartiality towards other people live. Sure, 
sometimes we do not like a hairstyle or we do not like certain people especially. But 
otherwise we are neutral. Or not?

Socialization and subconscious categorization
Here us is usually not even be aware that our brains continuously people into categories 
divides:
teen, female, from here (probably German), thin, trendy, attractive, or: male, fat, 
middle-aged, southern, conservative, unattractive, probably poor.
Whether used as a limitation on the essentials or lack of time enable us categories and 
stereotypes as a simplified and generalized beliefs about people first of all orientation, 
safety, and are used for quick communication.
Well theoretically would be an unconscious categorization of other people around us 
nothing to reproach , they would be neutral and flexible when needed.
But if they do not.
Though we take its own neutrality, but in reality we grow in a certain inequality of 
society and internalize roles and forms of discrimination. What is normal, what is 
different, who / what are "we", who / what are "the others". This knowledge is a social 
code that many people internalize and pass on since her earliest youth. In the family, 
friendships and relationships, about media, politics, science, education and so on.
socialization refers to the internalization of such social norms. We learn to think in 
terms that have arisen in the relevant context, and (genesis) history of our social 
environment through socialization. Be included here different categories that determine 
the status and recognition of people in a society, for example: gender, skin color, 
culture, social class, background, disability / non-disability, age, ... These categories 
are man-made and have . a real impact on the individuals concerned
Today (Western European) social actual state privileged carrier * inside certain 
properties (eg: male, heterosexual, white, German, well dressed, not poor). All people who 
have been socialized within that society (and thus have these "privileges" internalized as 
positive and normal), strive for these characteristics. If people do not meet these 
societal "ideal state" (can not or will), they are considered "different" classifications. 
"Different" does not just mean different from the actual state of society, but at the same 
time also rated negatively.

Societal starting point
We live in a society in which as "different" perceived People - People are not the values 
of the dominant majority society meet -. Exclusion, non-recognition, and learn different 
forms of violence
suppression mechanisms such as social exclusion and discrimination go with the existing 
hierarchies accompanied that shape our society. They lead to inequality, already underpin 
existing discrimination and constantly renew itself This constant renewal does not happen 
by itself, but is consciously or unconsciously performed by people. Rather than challenge 
existing inequalities and hierarchies in question, adjacent to each other and people from 
this from. Special deprivation, violence and vilification experienced people who are 
discriminated against because of externals and other features of their culture, (adopted) 
origin, sexual orientation, disability experience, age and / or gender.

Discrimination
An essential component of discrimination is the summary and categorization of people into 
groups and the associated assumption of certain properties. The widespread attitude and 
acceptance of prejudice that affects people, this restricts their actions and thus has a 
real impact on their daily life, is called discrimination. 2
There are many different forms of discrimination that overlap each other and condition. 
Together they have that the people concerned are disadvantaged or marginalized because of 
certain characteristics or their group membership.
than the "different" perceived people, those who do not fit into the generally socially 
accepted values are daily confronted with discrimination. Violent Discrimination is always 
and can have profound effects on the physical, emotional and mental integrity and 
empowering the people affected.
We therefore see three levels at which violence manifests itself through discrimination.
1 At the individual level: Here discrimination is expressed for example through verbal 
violence in the form of prejudice, jokes and remarks, or by direct physical violence.
2 At the societal level, such as in the form of exclusion and a generally accepted 
knowledge about what is natural and what is unnatural, who to the "we" and who belongs to 
"the other"; also by psychological violence such as non-recognition of identity and 
(loading) disability a personal, individual development.
3 On the structural and institutional level: the discriminated know no equal involvement / 
participation / involvement / participation in social resources, social, political, 
material, cultural areas.

Heteronormativity and heterosexism as a form of discrimination
As heteronormativity a gender system is referred to, in which only two sexes, namely men 
and women, are raised socially the norm.
Here, the respective gender (male or female) social role expectations for men and women 
connected with both, as well as with the heterosexual orientation. This means that there 
are certain socially accepted ideas about what roles each men and women meet, which 
(rather) not, and that the only natural form of relationship is a heterosexual 
relationship between two people between man and woman.

Heteronormativity therefore determines what is "normal" sexuality is considered and is at 
the same time, ... linked with respect to the internalized by many people standards and 
conceptions body, gender, character write-ups, family. The resulting form of 
discrimination is referred to as heterosexism. It allows for no other sexualities and genders.

"I have nothing against gays, but ..."
As mentioned in the introduction, we accuse the education plan opponents * inside 
heterosexist and homophobic discrimination. In our opinion, heterosexism and homophobia, a 
central drive for the protests of the education plan opponents * inside, even if they deny 
it and be represented as "concerned parents".

The heteronormative form of social life (father, mother, children) is self-evident and 
self-assured place in the public space. Other concepts of coexistence, however, have to 
play in private - and stay there also. This double standard clearly shows the 
discriminatory attitude of the education plan opponents * inside. The silence and the 
non-recognition of certain identities in other areas (eg racism) a powerful instrument of 
exclusion and oppression.

The frighten people by the mere mention of alternative sexualities and gender roles were 
children and family threatened, based on prejudice and false assumptions, it is 
heterosexist and homophobic.
This distribution of diffuse fears and assumptions we want to oppose us and for mutual 
esteem and self-determined sexuality occur.
, we have decided against the arguments of the education plan opponents to give * inside 
another room in our text.

Our criticism
We criticize the idea of naturally-given heterosexuality of man and woman and the 
associated heteronormativity in society.

We assume that notions of gender and sexuality are always embedded in a social context and 
arise from this.
Here these assumptions are by media, literature, music, ... and by institutions such as 
the church, school, (parts of) Science, underpinned ... as alleged truth.

In this hypothetical assumption heterosexual man / straight woman as the only valid way of 
life we perceive as inhumane and diskrimierend, because it is not of human diversity fair 
in our view.

Education plan
Of course we are the strange irony of the initial situation aware: We support and defend 
an initiative of the state government. It is clear that we do not always find good, what 
the government is and that we find the education plan only partially be supported.

We, however, it is important to send a clear message against the reactionary forces which 
abound there to tackle the education plan.

Our interests in an education system will be different from that of the state.
But the current education system should be further along with many people give to the 
necessary coordinates to which they can orient themselves and convey criticism and 
tolerance capabilities. Moreover, it is important that young adolescents knowledge and 
resources at hand are given, which enable them to own particular bias self-awareness of 
own sexuality. At this point we welcome the approach in the draft versions of the new 
education plan on alternative forms regarding sexuality and gender educate.
's silence over or even taboo by certain forms of sexuality or life plans precludes a 
healthy self-determined development of young people and their sexuality.
educational work in schools So is not "propaganda", but serves the best interest of all 
children.

What we want
We reject hierarchies and the associated mechanisms of oppression and discrimination. In 
order to abolish this, we need to recognize this and reflect.
We want to fight hierarchies that divided the people in a society of power and non-power 
into higher and lower status groups.

For this purpose, it is necessary to become active. This also includes questioning their 
own roles, to listen carefully, to draw attention to put yourself in the way, writing, 
there are very many ways ... each r * can do something!

The aim is to come to another people dealing with each other - beyond discrimination, 
oppression mechanisms and power structures.

If we want a society in which diversity characterizes the social image and different 
lifestyles can stand next to each other on an equal footing, has in this form of pluralism 
discrimination not have permission. Since discrimination is always violent - in one way or 
another - may you no space left to spread out.

Therefore, we face this discrimination decisive and creative answer. On the road, in our 
daily lives and in their minds.

For the free union of free individuals.

Footnotes:

1 Politically Incorrect News: right, reactionary Internet portal

2 Also in other ways such as institutional violence can occur discrimination

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