brainworms everywhere, but also orca good:
I may be wrong, but I think the radical dino sticker is advocating against TERFs, but just awkwardly worded to work the other way too. IDK, could just be pro TERF. Just a thought.
It says “there’s nothing radical about trans exclusion”. As is, trans exclusion is a non-radical (therefore conservative, regressive etc) position.How else can it be read?
Could be read as saying it’s a normal or baseline position positively. That would be a very poor reading though. Obviously the cool dinosaur having fun while wearing shades and skateboarding (symbols associated with the 90s usage of “radical” as a general-use positive expression) connotes that being radical is desirable and good.
I see, like “trans exclusion is non radical (normal)”.
If a word other than “radical” were used (revolutionary, or novel) I would find it more confusing. But because the “r” in TERF is for “radical”, I think it is more likely a dig at TERFs by disputing their self characterization.
The dino is behaving in ways that are ‘radical’ by the 90s styling of the word, and the design lightly borrows kitschy elements of 90s style to imply being ‘radical’ is akin to being ‘cool’. On the other hand, the modern use of the word ‘radical’ is mostly used as a negative by reactionaries to describe left-culture they think strays too far from social norms. By saying that “There’s nothing ‘radical’(read as ‘cool’) about trans exclusion” they could be attempting to say, TERFs aren’t cool like this sunglasses sporting skateboarding dinosaur. Or, as some people here seem to be interpreting it, they could be implying that there’s nothing radical (negative) about trans exclusion, and that is the nominative baseline position for them and all their TERF friends. The design including the dinosaur being radical in a 90s style, to me at least, implied that the designer was trying to convey the former intent, but that it could just as easily be interpreted the other way, as we’ve seen and discussed.
If this was made by a TERF I hope they someday find their sense of empathy and stop being a shitbag. If it was made by someone trying to do agitation against TERFs, I hope they workshop their future designs a bit better so there’s less confusion around what their intended message is. Maybe try all white text on a black background that just says ‘Fuck TERFs’. Short. Succinct. Zero confusion. No fun dinosaurs ):
Tbh, i’ve stared at it for a minute, cause it’s counterpunch, and still read it as brainwormed 35-40 year old trans negative poster (e.g.: “there is nothing radical about medicare for all”), but i’ve missed obvious play on terf word :(
