Because the author is Simon Tam, there are also casual nerd references to enjoy, especially with how naturally they are included. There is a lot of heart and much that is admirable, but that is combined with a lot of exhaustion on Tam's part. It is only human to feel for him.
The court case took nine years. Even with various lawyers working pro bono, there were still filing and copying charges, travel, requests for interviews, and some very abusive language, even from natural allies.
That was all combined with personal loss, and needing to make a living and maintain relationships. It was a Herculean effort, and it was ultimately successful, but not without great personal cost. That is not even mentioning all of the good things that the band was trying to do, with work shops and fundraising and drives and fighting bullying. They did do good, perhaps in ways in which they were uniquely able to do so, but it is important to understand the effort.
With a full book covering the nine year battle, I know more about their struggle, but I had also started to think about that when watching The Problem With Apu. You see the disappointment as Hari Kondabolu's attempts to meet with Hank Azaria failed. We see the effort that he puts in educating, and yet during any comedy set there can always be someone who will just say "Thank you. Please come again," and feel like they are so clever.
Once again, my reading and watching related to the news, with the reactions to Naomi Osaka choosing her mental health over money. Federer protecting his knee has not drawn nearly the same level of complaint. That is not a coincidence.
This is older news, from 2017, but someone posted Anna Muzychuk refusing to play in Saudi Arabia as a protest against their treatment of women, even though it would mean the loss of two world titles, so a loss of status and money.
That was the Women's World Speed Chess Championship. Every single competitor would be forced to be accompanied, and covered up, and bear the weight of that country's misogyny for the entire time there. Who scheduled that in the first place? Shouldn't there have been other people protesting? Shouldn't there have been people in leadership positions (probably men) saying that this is not acceptable?
There are people who are burning themselves out to try and stand up for what is right; that burden should be shared by many more people. If enough participated, it might stop feeling like a burden.
Notice that these people mentioned are fighting racism and sexism that they experience. In doing so, they have to fight against the inertia and complacence of those not affected.
I can't help but notice that the best articles on Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open have been primarily written by women, plus one man of Asian descent.
White people, where are we? Are you tired of hearing about racism? Try living it!
This is currently something I am addressing more on the Sunday blog, looking at areas and methods for fighting white supremacy, but before narrowing down, there has to be the initial commitment.
Can you care about an injustice that will not be leveled against you? And then what are you going to do about it?
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