Socialism

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Fuck all cops, but should we really be calling them bastards? (beehaw.org)

submitted 3 months ago by rosethornRangerTTV@beehaw.org to c/socialism@beehaw.org

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ACAB is a common slogan, especially in anarchist spaces. Should we really be using it though? It is a reference to children born without their parents being married, and due to christian morality is seen as inherently negative. It is effectively a slur. Do we really think that trying to enforce the hierarchies we are trying to get away from on others is going to help us? How have we allowed this slogan to become so common?

As an anarchist I think we should be defending these people, not punishing them with the hope of some of that transferring to cops.

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[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 5 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Was bastard used in the systemic oppression of anyone? That sounds like sarcasm, but I am genuinely curious. Most of the ableist and racist slurs were and are currently used in that manner. Bastard to my knowledge has really only been used in it's original form in a far less systemic way, and typically only for those rich enough for it to matter to them. Someone pointed out religious people not being OK with kids born out of wedlock, and that is true. That being said, I grew up in a very evangelical household, and bastard was considered a bad word, so would not be used at all, much less in that context.

[–] rosethornRangerTTV@beehaw.org 3 points 3 months ago

it was used in systematic oppression, yes, in many instances historically and many ways in different groups

[–] rosethornRangerTTV@beehaw.org 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

https://www.pricegen.com/bastardy-or-illegitimacy-in-england/

some info I found it

a common thing is a lack of support structures or networks, often forced out of the nuclear family unit

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The laws listed in that collection all punish the parents, not the children. Most of them require the father to support the child, with the one in 1747 even giving the children apprenticeships with local tradesmen and farmers.

[–] rosethornRangerTTV@beehaw.org 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

if they have to make laws to make sure the children aren't abandoned, they are abandoned often

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Sure, but the laws are a sign of systemic support, not oppression.

[–] rosethornRangerTTV@beehaw.org 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

there are laws against rape, yet it is still used as a tool to maintain oppression and as oppression itself.

I'm done with this conversation